class.;' ■ : 



Book^i 



THE 

WES LEY AN - METHODIST 
MISSIONS, 

IN JAMAICA AND HONDURAS, 

DELINEATED: 



CONTAINING A DESCRIPTION OF THE 

PRINCIPAL STATIONS. 

TOGETHER WITH A CONSECUTIVE ACCOUNT OP THE RISE 
AND PROGRESS OF THE WORK OF GOD AT EACH. 

ILLUSTRATED BY A MAP AND THIRTY-THREE LITHOGRAPH VIEWS, 

EXECUTED FROM DRAWINGS TAKEN ON THE SPOT. 



BY THE REV. PETER SAMUEL, 

TWELVE YEARS A MISSIONARY IN JAMAICA. 




PARTRIDGE & OAKEY, 34, PATERNOSTER ROW; 

SOLD BY J. MASON, 66, PATERNOSTER ROW. 



M D C C C L. 



W. BENNETT, PRINTER, ABERDEEN. 



T 0 

THE REVEREND ROBERT NEWTON, D.D., 

WHOSE UNWEARIED, ELOQUENT, AND 
SUCCESSFUL ADVOCACY 
OF THE EVANGELIZATION OF 
A PERISHING WORLD, 
HAS LARGELY CONTRIBUTED TO RENDER 
THE AY E S L E Y A N-M ETHODIST MISSIONARY SOCIETY 
ONE OF THE NOBLEST 
CHRISTIAN INSTITUTIONS OF THE AGE, 

IS RESPECTFULLY INSCRIBED 

BY 

THE AUTHOR. 



CONTENTS. 



Chap. 



I. Origin of the West India Mission. — Difficulty of establishing a 
Mission— Conversion and efforts of N. Gilbert, Esq.— Baxter's arrival 
and labours— Dr. Coke driven to the West Indies— Rapid extension 
of the Mission, 9 

II. Port Royal. — First impressions of the Island — Scenery — Account 

of Port Royal — Rise and Progress of the Mission, . . . .15 

III. Kingston. — Origin and aspect of the city — Religious destitution — 

Dr. Coke begins the Mission — Mr. Hammett — Parade Chapel opened 
— Persecution — Mr. Werrill dies — Mr. Brazier leaves the Island — 
Success of Messrs. Fish and M'Yean— Messrs. Alexander, Campbell, 
and Fowler arrive — Fresh Persecutions — Mr. Campbell escapes to 
England — Mr. Fish returns home, 25 

IV. Kingston — (Continued) — Messrs. Bradnack and Gilgrass arrive — 

Great prosperity — Mr. Knowlan — New persecuting Acts passed — 
Mr. Gilgrass imprisoned — the Missionaries silenced — Home Govern- 
ment memorialized — a new Act of persecution passed — Mr. Wiggins 
imprisoned — the Mission prospers — Parade Chapel re-opened — Mr. 
Shipman arrives — Circuits formed — First District Meeting held — a 
Second Chapel opened in Kingston — Rapid Progress of the Mission, 38 

V. Kingston — (Continued) — Messrs Duncan and Young arrive — Wesley 
Chapel erected — Arrival of Messrs. Whitehouse, Jenkins, and Allen 
— Death of Mr. Allen — Objectionable resolutions passed — A Dis- 
trict Auxiliary Missionary Society formed — A new persecuting Act 
passed by the Legislature — Ebenezer Chapel built — Death of Mis- 
sionaries — Another attempt at legislative persecution— Mr. Barry 
prosecuted for libel — First watch-night service held — Alarm of the 
Colonists at the progress of Anti-Slavery principles — The insurrec- 
tion — Colonial Union formed — Report of the House of Assembly 
denounced by the missionaries, . . . , . . .50 

VI. Kingston — (Continued) — Earl of Mulgrave succeeds Lord Belmore — 
Collision between the Govei'nor and Assembly— Royal Proclama- 
tion against Unions — Fury of the Unionists — Encouraging aspect of 
the Mission — Departure of the Earl of Mulgrave— Addresses by the 
Missionaries, . ... 63 



I CONTENTS. 

VII. Kingston — (Continued) — Preparations for Emancipation — Gift books 
of the Bible Society— Celebration of Freedom — Rev. Valentine 
Ward and party arrive— Mortality among the missionaries— a Tem- 
perance Society formed— Prosperity— Educational efforts— Eev. T. 
H. Bewley appointed General Superintendent of Schools— Agitation 
of the Societies — Termination of the Apprenticeship system — Jubilee 
of the Mission— Marriage Act— New Coke Chapel opened— Great 
Fire — Special Mission of Mr. Young— Promising appearance of the 
Mission, 

VIII. Montego Bay. — Situation and appearance of the town — Arrival of 
Dr. Coke and Mr. Werrill— Mr. Fish— Conflagration — Maroon War 
—Mr. Fish leaves— Mr. Campbell driven away— Messrs. Shipman, 
Eatcliffe, Whitehouse, and Orton successively appointed — A new 
Chapel built by Mr. Duncan — The Insurrection— Mr. Murray prose- 
cuted — Conduct of Magistrates censured — Mr. Murray imprisoned — 
Persecution put down— Messrs. Wedlock and Corbett— Emancipa- 
tion — Death of Eev. Valentine Ward — Advancement of the Mission 
under Messrs. Kerr, Edney, Mearns, and Fraser, .... 

IX. Spanish Town. — Description of Spanish Town— The mission com- 
menced by Dr. Coke— Mr. White— Mr. Eatcliffe— Death of Mr. 
Adams— Mr, Binning— a Society formed at Old Harbour— Messrs. 
Crofts, Young, and Barry — a new Chapel erected in Spanish Town 
—Mr. Kerr— a Chapel built at Old Harbour— Persecution— Prospe- 
rity — Messrs. Edmondson and Harding— Mr. Chapman stationed in 
St. Thomas-in-the-Vale — a Chapel erected at Linstead — Extent of 
the Circuit, 

X. M ok ant Bay. — Situation and appearance of the town — Commence- 
ment of the Mission — Messrs. Williams and Campbell persecuted 
and imprisoned — Mr. Bradnack placed in favourable circumstances, 
labours successfully, builds a chapel — Mr. Burgar prospers in his 
efforts and dies — Mr. Wiggins— Messrs, Home and Underhill — 
Mr. Eatcliffe— Mr. Hartley dies— Death of Mrs. Eatcliffe and chil- 
dren — Messrs. Johnstone and Duncan — Death of Messrs. Johnstone, 
Underhill, Parkin, Penman, and Barr — Messrs. Atkins and White- 
head labour with great success — Messrs. Eowden and Burrows — 
Account of Yallahs, 

XL Grateful Hill. — Scenery of St. Thomas-in-the-Vale — Origin of the 
mission — Grateful Hill Chapel built — First missionary meeting held 
— Prosperity of the mission — Mr. Whitehouse — A chapel erected at 
Unity — Abortive attempt to destroy Grateful Hill Chapel — Mr 
Wedlock— Electric phenomena — Heavy rains — Emancipation of the 
slaves — Earthquakes — A negro family — Prosperity of the mission — 
Eeligious Tract Society's gifts — Baptist friends— A rude book-keeper 
—a temperance association formed — Agitation, re-action, and im- 
provement, , v , .. ■.. |f% M |,fg' 



CONTENTS. 



vii 



XII. Stone y Hill. — Situation of the station— Commencement of the mis- 
sion by Mr. Young, and rapid progress— A chapel opened at Red- 
hills — Mr. Grimsdall — Mr. W. Wood— Mr. Bleby— Effects of perse- 
cution on the mission — Mr. Edney's prosperity — a new chapel built 
at Redhills— Death of Mr. Greenwood— Mr. Sergeant, . . . 166 

XIII. Falmouth. — Situation and appearance of Falmouth — Dr. Coke 

preaches at Martha Brae — Mr. Shipman begins the Mission — Mr. 
Binning — Mr. Eatcliffe forms a Society— Successful efforts of Mr. 
Box — The insurrection — Mr. Box imprisoned — The people persecuted 
— Robert Lamont and John Baillie — The Chapel destroyed by 
" Colonial Unionists " — Mr. Bleby assaulted — Meeting of the " Co- 
lonial Unionists " — Success of Mr. Walters — The Chapel re-erected 
— The mission advances — Duncans — A prosperous day-school — A 
Chapel erected — Affecting death of a negro child, . . . .176 

XIV. St. Ann's Bay. — Situation and appearance of the Parish of St. Ann 

— A mission begun at Bellemont — Mr. Shipman invited by Mr. S. 
D. Drew — Mr. Ratcliffe forms a Society at the Bay — Outrage on Mr. 
Ratcliffe and family — Persecution and death of Mr. Grimsdall — 
Messrs Whitehouse, Qrton and Watkis imprisoned — Magistrates 
dismissed — Mr. Orton tried for perjury — Death of Mr. Saxton — Per- 
secution — Chapels destroyed— Messrs. Wood and Greenwood driven 
from St. Ann's — Mr. Greenwood imprisoned, and again driven from 
the parish — Cheering Success of Messrs. Greenwood and Barr — 
Messrs. Whitehouse and Wood — Death of the latter — Death of Mr. 
Walters— Efforts to rebuild the chapels — A chapel built at the Bay 
— Great success — Noble liberality of the people — The Circuit divided 
— Mr. Kerr — Liberality and disinterestedness of the people, . . 192 

XV. Beechamville, Watsonville, and Guy's Hill,— A Chapel erected - 
at Bellemont — The first Missionary Meeting— Death of Mr. Drew — 
Prosperity of the mission — Bellemont vacated — The Society removed 
to Blackheath — Two years' persecution — Re-establishment and pros- 
perity of the mission — Blackheath vacated — Beechamville and Wat- 
sonville Stations formed — Guy's Hill— Commencement of the 
mission— George Stanbury— A Society formed by Mr. Edney— 
united to Oracabessa circuit — Mr. Ritchie— a Chapel erected by Mr. 
Hodgson — Enlargement of the circuit, 217 

XVI. Ociio-Rjos, Brown's Town, and Stewart's Town.— Ocho-Rios— 
Mission begun— Imprisonment of Mr. Grimsdall— A Chapel opened 
— The Chapel burnt down by the Colonial Unionists— The people 
compelled to hold their meetings in the open air for six years — Mr. 
Whitehouse 's success — Death of Miss Jarvis — A new Chapel built 
— Prosperity of the station — Want of sufficient Ministerial help- 
Brown's Town— A circuit formed— Mr. Randerson— Mr. Seccombe 
—Mr. Foster— Stewart's Town— Mr. Box forms a Society— Mr 
Hornby— Death of Mr. Bewley— Prosperity of the station, . . 230 



0 , •',» 

v,u CONTENTS. 

XVII Bath, St. Thomas-in-the-East.— Situation and appearance of Bath 
Amission proposed to Messrs. Underhill and Home— Premises pur- 
chased and a Society formed— Successful labours of Messrs. John- 
stone, Duncan, Tremayne, Whitehouse, Orton, and Crookes— Mr. 

Samuel appointed to the circuit — Discipline— a Negro Funeral 

Moral evils of Slavery— Death of a slave— Messrs. Bleby and 
Eitchie— Prosperity of the Mission under Messrs. Simmons, Edney, 
and Eowden— a New Chapel erected— Mr. Atkins, . . .243 

XVIII. Manchioneal and Port Morant.— Situation and appearance of 
Manchioneal— Mr. Bradnack begins a mission— Messrs. Underhill 
and Horne— Messrs. Johnstone and Duncan— A Chapel built— Pro- 
gress— Mr. Eowden imprisoned— Persecution of Mr. Barr— Ad- 
vancement of the station under Messrs. Gregory, Eowden, Atkins, 
and Williams— Port Morant— Origin of the Circuit— A Society 
formed at Eocky Point— A Society formed at Port Morant by Mr. 
Atkins— A Chapel erected— Eapid extension of the mission— Port 
Morant made the head of the Circuit— Prosperity of the Societies, 257 

XIX. Port Antonio and Mount Fletcher.— Description of Port An- 
tonio—Captain Eeece and Mr. Thaxter — Mr. Kerr forms a Society 
—Death of Mr. Eatcliffe— Mr. Edney— Death of Mr. Vowles— Mr. 
Greenwood erects a Chapel at Hope Bay — Persecution — Mr. Eow- 
den — Mr. Crookes — Mr. Samuel — Success among soldiers— Emi- 
grants — Happy Deaths — Mr. Williams builds a chapel — Death of 
Mr. and Mrs. Davies— Mount Fletcher— Situation— Mr. Harding 
erects a Chapel— Mr. Hornabrook, 271 

XX. Clarendon and Black Eiver. — Extent and aspect of Clarendon 
Circuit — Halse Hall visited by Mr. Crofts— A Station begun at Lime 
Savannah — Persecution— Success of Messrs. Corlett, Bird, Burrows, 
and Wilcox — A Society formed at Vere — Death of Messrs. Wilcox 
and Corbett — Messrs. Eowden and Jackson — Death of Mr. Jackson 
— A Chapel erected at Lime Savannah, and a Schoolhouse at Vere 
— Messrs Samuel and Davies — Schools opened — Success — Liberality 
of the people — Messrs. Hodgson, Lewis, and Thompson — Black 
Eiver — A Mission begun by Mr. Simmons— Messrs. Curtis and 
Burrows— Death of Mr. Eedfern, . 289 

XXI. Savanna-la-Mar, Lucea, and Mount Ward.— Description of 
Savanna-la-Mar — Mr. Box begins a mission — Persecution — Messrs. 
Inglisand Bleby re-organize the mission— Mr. Curtis— Mr. Lofthouse 
erects a Chapel — Death of Mr. Lofthouse — Messrs. Sanderson and 
Moss — Lucea — Situation of the Town — A mission begun — Messrs. 
Bleby and Seccombe — Mr. Chapman erects a Chapel and enlarges 
the Circuit— Mount Ward — Situation — Mr. Murray begins a mission 
— Two years' persecution — Mr. Wedlock revives the Society— Mr. 
Eitchie appointed resident missionary — Mr. Lofthouse commences a 
Chapel— Mr. Curtis — Mr. Chapman dies> 301 



CONTENTS. 



ix 



XXII. Honduras — Description of the settlement — Belize — Mr. Wilkinson 
begins the mission — Death of Mr. Wilkinson— Death of Mr. John- 
ston — Mr. Wedlock erects a Chapel— Mr. Pilley fails to establish a 
mission among the Mosquito Indians — Mr. Edney extends the mis- 
sion — The Charibs build a Chapel — Messrs. Greenwood and Jefferies 
State of the Mission under Messrs. Webster and Collier, . .311 



4 



ORDER OF THE VIEWS. 



PAGE. 

1. The House in which the Mission was begun to face the 

title page. 

2. Map of the Stations to face 9 

3. Port Royal Chapel, 15 

4. Parade Chapel, 23 

5. Wesley Chapel and School-house, . . . . . 50 

6. Ebenezer Chapel, . . . . . . - . .55 

7. Coke Chapel and School-house, ...... 87 

8. Montego Bay Chapel, .91 

9. Beecham Chapel, Sandy Bay, . . . . . . Ill 

10. Spanish Town Chapel, 113 

11. Morant Bay Chapel, 126 

12. Yallahs Chapel, . 146 

13. Grateful Hill Chapel and Premises, 148 

14. Stoney Hill Chapel and House, 166 

15. Falmouth Chapel, . 176 

16. Duncan's Chapel, . . . . . . . 186 

17. Mission House at St. Ann's Bay, 192 

18. St. Ann's Bay Chapel, 212 

19. Beechamville Chapel and House, 217 

2j } Watsonville and Guy's Hill Chapels, .... 223 

22. Ocho Rios Chapel, 230 

23 1 

> Brown's Town and Stewart's Town Chapels, . . . 234 

25. Bath Chapel and Premises, 243 

26. Manchioneal Chapel, 257 

27. Port Morant Chapel, 267 

28. Port Antonio Chapel, .271 

29. Mount Fletcher Chapel, 284 

30. Lime Savannah Chapel, ....... 289 

31. Savanna-la-Mar Chapel, 301 

32. Lucea Chapel, 304 

33. Mount Ward Chapel, 306 

34. Belize Chapel, Honduras Bay, 311 



CHAPTER I. 



ORIGIN OF THE WEST INDIA MISSION. 



Difficulty of establishing a Mission— Conversion and efforts of N. Gilbert, Esq.— 
Baxter's arrival and labours — Dr, Coke driven to the West Indies — Eapid 
extension of the Mission. 



The success which has crowned the efforts of Evangelical Churches 
to diffuse the glorious Gospel, within the last half century, calls for 
devout thanksgivings, more earnest prayer, and enlarged exertions 
on the part of all who long to see the day when " the fulness of the 
Gentiles shall be brought in, and all Israel saved." As various 
circumstances have operated to accelerate or retard the progress of 
the glad tidings of salvation among the heathen, the Mission field 
presents a variety of features, more or less interesting to the religi- 
ous public. Each Mission has its extraordinary, as well as its 
common- place aspect : its period when incidents, full of all that is 
exciting in disclosures of the degraded condition of the human 
family, abound : when the Missionary has penetrated the dark 
places of the earth, with the torch of Gospel truth, and witnessed 
the ravages of sin among his fellow-creatures, his discoveries are 
sought after with an eagerness proportionate to their novelty, which 
gradually dies away, as the ameliorating influence of Christianity 
assimilates the once degraded heathen to the ordinary condition of 
the professing Christian world. 

This fact has received a striking illustration in West Indian Mis- 
sions. Who that remembers the thrilling tales generated by 
slavery, and the struggle that terminated in its annihilation in the 
British colonies, can forget the deep interest felt by every Christian 
and philanthropist during these periods ? 

As a field for Missionary enterprise the British West Indies were 
far from encouraging, from the sacrifice of health and life required by 
a climate inimical to European constitutions ; the resistance inherent 
in slavery to the spirit and claims of Christianity ; the heteroge- 
neous character of the population, from physical as well as social 
and political causes ; the mental degradation and absence of educa- 
tion ; the pernicious influence of Obeahism and African superstition ; 
the stringent discipline necessary to extort labour from the unwilling 
captive ; the suspicious light in which every religious teacher was 

A 



10 



ORIGIN OF THE MISSION. 



viewed by those whose intelligence made them aware of the fact, 
that their power must be proportioned to the blindness of their vic- 
tims. The immense influence possessed and exercised by West 
Indian proprietors in the Parliament of the mother country, as well 
as in the Colonial Houses of Assembly, gave a respectability, a con- 
sistency, an air of justice, and a degree of power sufficiently formi- 
dable to the apparently weak efforts of a few humble missionaries, 
whose whole strength lay in the blessing of Him who is pleased by 
the most insignificant means to bring about the grandest results of 
his moral government. 

It is a remarkable as well as pleasing fact, that the Methodist 
Mission in the West Indies was originated by a slaveholder, who 
was also Speaker of the Honourable House of Assembly in the 
Island of Antigua. This gentleman, whose name was Nathanael 
Gilbert, being on a visit to England, was brought to God by the 
ministry of Mr. Wesley, who notices him in his Journal of Feb. 
17th, 1758 : — " I preached at Wandsworth. A gentleman come 
from America has again opened a door in this desolate place. In 
the morning I preached in Mr Gilbert's house. Two negro servants 
of his, and a mulatto, appear to be much awakened." Again, in 
December, he observes : — " I rode to Wandsworth and baptized two 
negroes belonging to Mr Gilbert, a gentleman lately come from 
Antigua ; one of these is deeply convinced of sin ; the other 
rejoices in God her Saviour, and is the first African Christian I 
have known. But shall not our Lord in due time have these 
heathens also 'for his inheritance?'" Here we have the first- 
fruits of the West India Mission : the master and his slave, — a 
happy pledge of future success ! 

Mr. Gilbert began to call sinners to repentance ere he left Eng- 
land. In 1760, Wesley, on arriving at Bristol, remarks : — " I per- 
ceived by the liveliness of the people that Mr. Gilbert's labours 
had not been in vain." The anxiety he felt for the happiness of 
his fellow-men was now particularly diverted towards those in dark- 
ness around his W r est Indian home. He tried to prevail on the 
illustrious John Fletcher to accompany him as the first missionary 
to his benighted people, as appears from the following extract of a 
letter written by that good man, to the Rev. C. Wesley, dated 
March 22d, 1759 : — " A proposal has lately been made to me to 
accompany Mr. Nathaniel Gilbert to the West Indies. I have 
weighed the matter ; but, on the one hand, I feel that I have neither 
sufficient zeal, nor grace, nor talents, to expose myself to the temp- 
tations and labours of a mission in the West Indies ; and, on the 
other, I believe, that, if God call me thither, the time is not yet 
come. I wish to be certain that I am converted myself, before I 
leave my converted brethren to convert heathens. Pray, let me 
know what you think of this business : if you condemn me to put 
the sea between us, the command would be a hard one ; but I might. 



ORIGIN OF THE MISSION. 



11 



possibly, prevail on myself to give you that proof of the deference 
I pay to you judicious advice." 

Returning to Antigua, Mr. Gilbert invited one or two to join him in 
his family worship. " On the afternoon of the first Sunday six be- 
sides his own family attended ; on the second, nine ; and on the 
third, about eighteen." It was immediately reported throughout the 
island that he had turned preacher ; from this time he lost all relish 
for the practice of the law, and felt an exclusive desire to proclaim 
the glorious Gospel ; a natural shame and fear of man, to which he 
had been subject, entirely left him as soon as he began publicly to 
proclaim the word of God. His brother, Francis Gilbert, supported 
him ; general attention was excited ; his house, though capable of 
accommodating about two hundred, soon beeame too small for the 
growing congregations. Unmoved by the ridicule with which he 
was assailed, he continued his efforts as long as he lived ; and 
when called to rest from his labours, two hundred negroes, convinced 
of sin or converted to God by his ministry, wept over his grave. 
Left as sheep without a shepherd, a few were picked up by some 
Moravian Missionaries, who arrived about this time in the island, 
and the remainder were found by Mr. John Baxter, who, against 
the earnest remonstrances of his friends, proceeded to Antigua in 
1780 to pursue his business of shipwright in his Majesty's dockyard 
in English Harbour. This excellent man, who had been a local 
preacher at Chatham, in England, full of zeal to do good, returned 
from the exhausting toils of the day only to spend the evening in 
instructing the slaves on the plantations ; while all his Sabbath 
hours were sacredly devoted to religious labours. Not u counting 
his life dear unto himself," he continued steadfast in his career of 
usefulness, though assailed by much opposition and persecution. 
At length he gave up his situation of storekeeper, with a Govern- 
ment salary of £400 currency per annum, trusting his Heavenly 
Father for bread; in order that he might be at full liberty to 
pursue his apostolic toils among a willing people, who hungered and 
thirsted for the bread and water of life. His end was in harmony 
with his character ; he was ardently loved by the negroes, for whose 
eternal happiness he sacrificed all he possessed, and toiled inces- 
santly till, in 1805, he went to glory from among them in the full 
triumph of faith. 

From his success his toils became so severe, that, unless relieved 
by some assistance, he must soon fall a sacrifice. Mr. Wesley was 
repeatedly and earnestly written to, but no help arrived, till, by a 
singular Providence, Dr. Coke was brought to witness with his own 
eyes the necessity of the case. This distinguished missionary hav- 
ing, in 1785, left England for Nova Scotia, accompanied by Messrs. 
Hammet, Warrener, and Clarke, was unexpectedly carried to the 
Island of Antigua, the scene of Baxter's labours. The voyage 
proved one of the most perilous ever witnessed by those on board 



12 



ORIGIN OF THE MISSION. 



the ship : one tempest followed another in rapid succession ; the 
vessel sprung a-leak ; the stores were nearly exhausted, and all 
hope of reaching America given up, when the captain resolved to 
run for the most convenient port that might present itself in 
the West Indies. During this season of trial the missionaries con- 
tinued in earnest prayer to " Him who holdeth the winds in his fist, 
and the waters in the hollow of his hand while the captain raved 
like a maniac, crying out, " There is a Jonah on board ! there is a 
Jonah on board !" In a fit of superstitious frenzy he rushed on Dr. 
Coke, seized his books and papers, cast them into the raging sea, 
and vehemently declared that, should he again dare to pray, while 
he remained on board his ship, he would throw him overboard ! 

As they approached the West Indies, the weather gradually 
became mild, and with it the temper and conduct of the captain. 
The first port they reached was St. John's, in the Island of Antigua, 
at which they arrived on Christmas-day. No sooner were they put 
ashore than the Doctor and his companions met Baxter, who was on 
his way to preach to a large congregation of black and coloured 
people. 

The mystery of their disastrous voyage was now solved : the set 
time to favour the West India islands was come ; a great and effec- 
tual door was opened for missionary efforts ; the fields were " white 
unto the harvest " Ethiopia was stretching out her hands unto 
God." The joy of the devoted Baxter and his people was fully 
shared by their unexpected visitors. The pious heart of Coke was 
stirred in him at the sight of a thousand Africans listening with 
intense interest to the glad tidings of salvation from his lips, and 
receiving at his hands the memorials of the Redeemer's dying love. 
His reception by all classes was cheering. A salary of £500 per 
annum was offered if he would settle in the island, and he was in- 
vited, as a mark of respect, to a public dinner, at which the Duke 
of Clarence, afterwards William the Fourth, was one of the guests. 

If the soul of Columbus was thrown into ecstasy at the sight of 
these enchanting islands, where nature has poured out in rich pro- 
fusion her choicest beauties, the sight of the moral condition of their 
inhabitants engaged the deepest sympathies of the devout missionary, 
who was so providentially cast upon their shores. Fired with the 
thought of diffusing scriptural Christianity throughout the islands 
of the Caribbean Sea, he left Mr. Warmer to assist Baxter, and 
proceeded to some of the neighbouring islands in order to extend 
the mission. St. Vincent's presented an open field ; a society was 
formed which soon numbered 500 members. St. Christopher's gave 
similar encouragment. The success which crowned their labours 
at St. Eustatius kindled the rage of the enemies of the Gospel. 
" Certain lewd fellows of the baser sort " set on, and encouraged 
by, the magistrates, succeeded in driving the missionaries from the 
island. The flock being thus deprived of their shepherds continued 



ORIGIN OP THE MISSION. 



13 



to assemble, and encouraged each other to hold fast, and hope for 
better -days. 

In 1788 the missionaries visited Tortola and Nevis, where they 
met with a cordial welcome from many who received their message 
with joy. At the latter island a society was formed, which gave 
great encouragment ; whilst at Tortola their success was still 
greater ; within six years 1500 were received as members, who 
gave genuine evidence of a desire to "flee from the wrath to come." 
An extraordinary outpouring of the Holy Spirit accompanied the 
preaching of the word, by which it had " free course " and was 
" glorified." 

In the month of December an attempt was made to establish a 
mission at Barbadoes, but the determined hostility of the planters 
rendered it impracticable. At this time Dr. Coke arrived at Port 
Royal, in Jamaica, and commenced a mission amidst mingled oppo- 
sition and encouragement. 

Thus, in the short period of two years, promising missions were 
established in Antigua, St. Christopher's, St. Eustatius, Nevis, St. 
Vincent's, Dominica, Tortola, and Santa Cruz, under the care of 
thirteen missionaries, who succeeded in uniting about four thousand 
souls in church membership. 

The rapid progress of the Mission in its commencement continued 
unabated ; the more it was opposed, the more it multiplied and 
grew ; persecution assumed many forms, and plied its energies in 
vain. In the British Senate, the Missionaries were denounced as 
incendiaries, and Government earnestly urged to save the colonies 
from their mischievous hostility ; while colonial laws were enacted 
to arrest them in their efforts in the islands. Missionaries were im- 
prisoned, their people scourged with the whip, chapels and meeting- 
houses destroyed, while a venal press kept the minds and passions 
of the colonists in a constant fever of suspicion and rage against the 
preachers of the Gospel. Still all failed to hinder the advancement 
of the truth, and its genuine results — civil and religious freedom. 

The progress of the Anti Slavery Society in England rendered 
the colonists desperate ; and, though the missionaries had no con- 
nexion with that philanthropic society, they were denounced as its 
agents, in spite of their protestations, and the evidence furnished by 
their simply evangelical labours and devoted lives. The length to 
which their opposition proceeded in 1832 gave the final blow to a 
system which set itself against the best interests of mankind in both 
worlds. The sufferings of the missionaries and the people of their 
charge roused the British public to demand of the legislature the 
termination of Slavery, as abhorrent to humanity, justice, and reli- 
gion. The public voice reached the ear of Parliament, and of the 
throne, and the demand was responded to in a manner which re- 
flects imperishable glory on the Crown and Government of Great 
Britain. The memorable 1st of August, which wiped away the 



14 



ORIGIN OF THE MISSION. 



darkest stain that ever marked the escutcheon of our country, re- 
moved every barrier to the diffusion of Christianity in the West 
Indies. If, under slavery, cheering success attended missionary 
effort, it increased a hundred-fold after it was removed. 

The Wesleyan Mission in the West Indies has assumed a magni- 
tude that must astonish all who calmly consider it. There are now 
5 districts, 55 circuits, 197 chapels, 186 minor preaching places, 86 
missionaries and assistant missionaries, 7 catechists, 143 day-school 
teachers, 1464 Sunday-school teachers, 181 local preachers, 52,086 
church members, 1290 on trial, 107,267 hearers, and 18,359 scholars 
in the schools ; and, besides contributing largely towards the support 
of the Gospel among themselves, in building churches and support- 
ing their own pastors, for many years the members have assisted the 
General Mission Fund, for the diffusion of the Gospel in other parts 
of the world : last year the sum they thus contributed amounted to 
near £3000, though suffering to a lamentable extent in temporal 
matters ! 

That a mission, among one of the most despised and injured sec- 
tions of the hum a a family, should be distinguished by such unex- 
ampled prosperity, is encouraging to all who are engaged in promot- 
ing the grand object of evangelizing the world. 

Though the painful tales which formerly gave interest to the 
West Indian Mission, during slavery, no longer assail our ears, and 
excite our feelings, yet the sober-minded Christian will continue to 
regard with deep interest the peaceful triumphs of the Gospel. 
India, Western and Southern Africa, New Zealand, and the Islands 
of the South Sea, will long continue to furnish materials for striking- 
incidents to stimulate the Church to further efforts. Something has 
been accomplished towards saving the world ; but, alas ! what is it, 
compared with what is yet to be done ? More than 600,000,000 of 
our race are still unvisited by the messengers of the Churches ! 
While past success abundantly encourages, let future triumphs be 
earnestly sought by every disciple of Him who shall }^et have the 
heathen for His inheritance, and the uttermost parts of the earth 
for His possession. 



15 



CHAPTER II. 

PORT ROYAL. 

First impressions of the Island — Scenery — Account of Port Royal— Rise and 
Progress of the Mission. 

Baffled by unfavourable winds, sixty-eight days were consumed in 
the voyage between London and the Island of Jamaica. During 
the night of January 3rd, 1832, the rain poured in torrents, giving 
us a specimen of those tropical showers so often witnessed and 
spoken of with astonishment by travellers from more temperate lati- 
tudes. Towards morning it cleared up, and, as it began to dawn, 
Blue Mountain was descried by a seaman from the mast-head. The 
discovery was instantly communicated to the captain, and by him 
to the slumbering passengers below, Avho, in a few minutes, were 
all assembled on deck : one with a cloak half-thrown over his night 
habiliments, another in gown and slippers, with night-cap in hand ; 
the absence of sufficient covering was wholly lost sight of in the 
hurry to catch a first glance of the object which promised a termina- 
tion of our marine captivity. The peak, as usual, being enveloped 
in dense white clouds, it was some time ere the unpractised eyes of 
those on deck could make out what appeared so plainly from the 
topmast. Curiosity accelerated the process of dressing : a few 
minutes sufficed to place each new comer in the best position for 
feasting the eyes on every striking object that might present itself 
as we sailed along the shore. 

As our barque glided along, the majestic mountain that rears its 
cloud-capped head in solitary grandeur above the island, gradually 
enlarged to the view, deep dyed in purple, slightly tinged with 
green and grey, mingled with streaks of fleecy mist, till, as we drew 
nearer, it became more defined, breaking into piles of mountain and 
hill of minor magnitude, whose bases terminated in luxuriant vales 
and plains under cultivation, adorned with whitewashed plantation 
works, dwelling-houses, negro huts, cane fields, and pastures of 
guinea grass, whose clear verdure contrasted beautifully with the 
deeper green of the cocoa nut, Palmetto Royal, Mangoe, and other 
trees, of richest foliage. Morant Point, Port Morant, Morant Bay, 
the White Horses, and Yallahs, successively came into view. The 
sun beamed with dazzling brilliancy over sea and land, imparting a 
vividness of beauty surpassing the most glowing conception we had 
formed of even tropical scenery. On nearing the east end, a canoe 
wa& seen making towards us, rowed by two coal-black Africans, 



16 



PORT ROYAL. 



nearly naked, and steered by a mulatto. The tiny vessel breasted 
the waves of the beautiful blue sea in gallant style. As soon as it 
shot alongside of our barque, the blacks sprang on board with sur ■ 
prising ease : in an instant, greetings of recognition were passed be- 
tween them, our captain, mate, and steward. The mulatto proved 
to be a pilot ; at once he was invested with command of the ship. 
The other two plied the captain with a profusion of begging compli- 
ments : — " Dat Massa, be so good as gib we someting for n'yam : 
only one piece o' beef like Massa use for do, for old 'quaintance 
sake, bekaysen we spetience Massa? s goodness from time" Having 
succeeded, they quickly took to the canoe, and pulled towards the 
land. 

Our pilot, a tall, well-formed man, of graceful address, announced 
that the slaves on the north side of the island were in a state of 
open insurrection, and that alarming intelligence was arriving in 
Kingston every hour. Our captain looked unutterable things, and 
our military fellow-passengers observed that they seemed to have 
come just in time to get into a kind of active service, on which they 
had not calculated. 

Tow r ards evening, we anchored at Port Royal, and were instantly 
surrounded by canoes, whose sable occupants were clamorous for 
the honour of taking us ashore. The health officer paid his official 
visit, cast a scrutinizing glance at each on board, asked some ques- 
tions of the captain, and in a few minutes was comfortably seated in 
his canoe, and out of sight. The Rev. J. Corlett, who had long ex- 
pected our arrival, now hailed us. We dressed with all possible 
speed, arranged about our luggage, bade farewell to our fellow-pas- 
sengers, and, for the first time, trusted ourselves to a frail canoe, 
and were soon landed at the wharf. 

The gorgeous colouring of every surrounding object produced a 
kind of admiration, as if we had arrived in some fairy land ; it was 
only now that the rich glowing tints of Italian pictures we had seen 
appeared to have any resemblance in nature. The clear deep blue 
of the sea, gently ruffled by the expiring trade wind, — the face of the 
heavens, bright, cloudless, and calm, glowing with the golden efful- 
gence of the setting sun, produced in the western sky a scene of 
aerial glory that bids defiance to any attempt at description. The 
land was no less imposing ; the lofty mountains, lighted up by the 
solar beams, threw their broad shadows over the deep ravines and 
vales below ; while Port Royal, almost level with the sea, presented 
its batteries, barracks, hospital, wharves, and houses, surmounted by 
clusters of the cocoa nut tree, whose palmy foliage gracefully yielded 
to the evening breeze. On landing, we were subjected to the scru- 
tinizing gaze of a motley crowd of all classes and colours of people, 
from the pale- faced European to the jet-black African. On our way 
to the mission house we were politely saluted by some who recog- 
nized us as newly arrived missionaries. Mrs. Corlett gave us a 



PORT ROYAL. 



17 



kindly welcome, and the first specimen of the Christian hospitality 
for which West Indian missionaries and their wives have ever been 
distinguished. 

After tea, my brother missionary and fellow-passenger, Mr 
Burrows, preached to a most attentive congregation of black and 
coloured persons, the singing was soft, sweet, and devotional. At 
the end of the service the people crowded about us, shook hands, 
enquired about our voyage, health, friends, England, missionaries 
who had formerly preached to them, or whatever the inspiration of 
the moment suggested, expressed their delight at seeing us, and 
poured forth a thousand good wishes for our happiness and useful- 
ness among them. The rest of the evening was spent in conversa- 
tion about home, friends, travelling incidents, our new circumstances, 
the missionary work, the country, the people, climate, the best 
methods of preserving health, and promoting the object of our mis- 
sion. After family prayer, we retired, with grateful feelings to- 
wards Him who had so mercifully brought us to our desired 
haven. 

No sooner were we prepared to enjoy the luxury of sleeping on 
shore, than the crowing of cocks, whose shrill clarions resounded on 
every side, mingled with the chirping of insects, and the hum of an 
army of mosquitoes, effectually prevented sleep ; the atmosphere was 
sultry and stifling, and, though a single sheet was all our covering, 
it seemed too much to bear. We felt as if breathing the air of a 
brick-kiln. After a restless night, we sallied forth betimes, to 
breathe the morning air, and see the town. 

Under the guidance of a young friend, we wandered about this 
famous locality. The town is erected at the west point of a narrow 
tongue of land, composed of coral rock, thinly covered with arid sand, 
partiallv overgrown with mangrove, sea-grape, and several species 
of cactus. It stretches in an easterly direction, and joins the island 
at Rock Fort, about seven miles distant, forming a powerful barrier 
to Kingston Harbour against the incursions of the sea, which, in 
stormy weather, breaks over, and lays portions of it under water, 
Though Kingston Harbour is considered large enough to shelter all 
the navies of Europe, its entrance at Port Royal is narrow and intri- 
cate, and so defended by batteries that no hostile armament can at- 
tempt to enter, without certain destruction. Fort Charles stands on 
the south-west of the town, bristling with heavy ordnance, which 
completely command the mouth of the harbour. The barracks ac- 
commodate a large body of troops. The Royal Hospital is a re- 
markably neat, light, and handsome structure, iron being the princi- 
pal material of which it is built : for the sick in such a climate, it 
is well adapted, being quite exposed to every breath of air, and fur- 
nished with every convenience. Everything about the Fort is cha- 
racterized by strict attention to cleanliness and order. Directly 
west, on the opposite shore, on an elevated rock, stands a battery of 

B 



18 



FORT ROYAL. 



twelve guns, significantly titled " the Apostles' battery." At the 
north-west angle of Kingston Harbour, on a small peninsula of coral, 
which joins the hills at Port Henderson, by a narrow isthmus of 
sand, the long level walls of Fort Augusta appear, the guns of 
which sweep completely the channel. The buildings of the fortress 
occupy the entire area of the point. The south face of the batteries 
are washed by the waters of the ship channel, while the wall on the 
north and west rises from a shallow lagoon lying in that direction, 
the effluvium of which is carried off during the day by the trade 
wind. The barracks are well ventilated, and afford accommodation 
for four service companies. In 1763, the magazine of this fort was 
struck by lightning ; in an instant three thousand barrels of gun- 
powder exploded, the buildings, bastions, and guns were blown to 
atoms, and three hundred human beings swept into eternity ! The 
royal dockyard presents a perfect contrast to what it did formerly, 
when it was the chief naval establishment of the West India and 
American colonies. The harbour will contain a thousand large 
ships ; it swarms with sharks, and such other fish as dare to keep 
their company. The parish church, government buildings, and a 
few respectable dwellings, along with the Wesleyan Mission Chapel, 
a sketch of which is here given, are the only objects worthy of no- 
tice in this once celebrated town, whose history is one of the most 
remarkable on record. Under the government of Sir Charles Little- 
ton, the first House of Assembly held its sittings alternately here 
and at St. Jago, the one being the seat of government, the other the 
centre of trade. It was also the head rendezvous of all the pirates, 
corsairs, and buccanneers, that infested the seas of the New World : 
to it they brought the immense treasures they tore from the 
Spaniards, by deeds of startling valour on the high seas, which they 
squandered in licentiousness and riot, with a rapidity only equalled 
by that which marked their attainment. Attracted from every 
European nation by the treasure -laden ships of cruel and haughty 
Spain, these desperadoes, banding together, acted frequently under 
the patronage of the island governors, who divided the spoil with 
them, as the price of their non-interference. So immense was the 
prey taken by the celebrated Morgan, in one expedition undertaken 
by him and his buccanneering companions in 1666, that the plate, 
jewels, and other treasures, were piled in heaps under the eaves of 
the houses in Port Royal, from want of warehouse room to receive 
them. On war being proclaimed against Spain, by beat of drum, at 
Port Royal, in July, 1670, Morgan, joined by several young men of 
family from England, having received a commission from the gover- 
nor to harass the enemy, sailed out with a fleet of thirty- seven 
ships, having on board two thousand soldiers, in addition to large 
crews of experienced seamen. In this, his last expedition, after a 
desperate conflict, he captured Panama, and brought away one hun- 
dred and seventy-five mules, laden with gold, silver, and jewels. 



PORT ROYAL. 



His companions, suspecting him of practising fraud in the division 
of the spoil, mutinied, on which he precipitately left them, and es- 
caped to Jamaica, carrying with him two or three ships, and a por- 
tion of the treasure ; on his arrival, he retired to private life, pur- 
chased a plantation, devoted his attention to its cultivation, conducted 
himself with so much propriety that he gradually rose into favour 
with the public, was made naval commander in His Majesty's ser- 
vice, obtained the honour of knighthood, became president of the 
island council, and thrice filled the office of lieutenant-governor. 
Some state that he was impeached, and sent prisoner to England, 
where he sank under the disgrace neaped upon him, and the trials 
he had to suffer, through the machination of his enemies ; others, 
that he died at Port Royal, in peaceful retirement, beloved by all 
who knew him. That a town, inhabited by such desperate cha- 
racters bearing the Christian name, while familiar with deeds of 
blood, rapine, and licentiousness, who braved the seas, like spirits of 
the storm, fought like fiends, carrying terror and desolation wher- 
ever they appeared, strangers alike to the fear of either God or man, 
should altogether escape some token of the displeasure of Him " who 
is angry with the wicked every day," was too much to expect. 

The day of retribution at length came. On June 7th, 1692, when 
the stores and wharves were laden with the glittering treasures of 
Mexico and Peru, the governor and council, sitting in deliberation on 
the affairs of this strange community, the inhabitants pursuing their 
usual course, unawed by consciousness of their crimes and guilt, 
about mid-day, they were suddenly alarmed by an unusual noise in 
the distant mountains, which reverberated through the valleys, and 
proceeded towards the shore. The sea instantly rose, the wharves 
with their rich treasures sank, the ground opened, and swallowed 
whole houses with their living inhabitants, thousands of whom in- 
stantly perished. Some, up to the neck in fissures, were strangled 
by the earth closing upon them. In a few minutes, with the excep- 
tion of the fort and two hundred houses, the whole town was buried 
five fathoms under water, the ruins of which long continued to be 
visible through their briny winding-sheet. The " Swan" frigate, 
then in the harbour, driven by the concussion from her moorings, 
over the roofs of the sunken nouses, afforded a means of escape to 
many who were struggling in the water : among whom was a 
gentleman, who, after being swallowed up by the earthquake, was 
ejected by a second shock ; being taken on board, he lived to a good 
old age, and was buried at Green Harbour, west of the town, on 
the opposite shore, where his tombstone tells the sorrowful tale of 
this catastrophe ! Along with the wealth of this wicked community, 
all the official papers and records of the island perished, as if the 
very memory of it was doomed to oblivion. 

This calamity was immediately followed by a fatal epidemic, 
arising from the noxious miasm generated by the bodies which 



20 



PORT ROYAL. 



continued to float about the harbour, by which pestilence three thou- 
sand of the survivors were swept away. In the course of eleven 
years the town began to recover a little, when it was consumed by 
fire, kindled by an explosion of gunpowder ; the conflagration con- 
tinued to rage, till nothing remained except the forts and magazines. 
During the next quarter of a century, the town was re-erected, but 
fire once more ravaged it, which completed the ruin of many of the 
inhabitants. After a respite of sixteen years, during which it was 
partly re-built, a tremendous hurricane prostrated the greater part 
of the town, tearing in pieces the newly-erected houses, and burying 
their inhabitants in the ruins. The fierceness of this storm was 
such, as to rend the strong batteries of Fort Augusta in a thousand 
pieces. In 1781, a similar tempest drove ninety ships ashore in 
Kingston Harbour, and thirty vessels of war then lying at Port 
Royal. The shore was strewed with the bodies of seamen who 
perished in the storm, which, on being picked up by the survivors, 
were buried on the Palisadoes. 

In 1815, another fire broke out, which destroyed every building 
except the church, those belonging to government, and a few scat- 
tered houses. Such a series of calamities clothe the history of this 
place with thrilling and painful interest. From the look-out at the 
roof of the commercial room, the view is truly grand ; towards the 
north-east, Blue Mountain, rising eight thousand feet above the 
waters of the Carribean Sea, is seen to advantage, and as the eye 
ranges along to the left, the mountains of Port Royal, St. Andrew, 
Ligunea, St. John, and St. Dorothy, appear in Alpine majesty, 
richly clothed to their summits in perpetual verdure, presenting a 
sublime back-ground to the plains of Ligunea and St. Catherine. 
The city of Kingston, with its church spire and ships at anchor, en- 
liven the scene, while, directly north, at an elevation of two thousand 
feet, the whitewashed barracks of Stoney Hill appear, but which 
military station is now abandoned for Newcastle Barracks, on a 
more elevated ridge to the east, where the health of the troops is 
better secured by the temperate air of the lofty mountains. 

The glare of the sun at Port Royal is exceedingly painful to 
tender eyes ; and, but for the sea breeze during the day, and land 
wind at night, the heat would be insufferable. The inhabitants are 
supplied with water from Rock Fort, by sailing tanks. The wells 
in the town are so impregnated with salt, as to be fit for nothing 
besides washing household utensils. 

On visiting the burial ground at the Palisadoes, where thousands 
of the slumbering dead await the summons of the last trump, we 
were mournfully impressed on not being able to trace a single grave, 
" no storied urn or animated bust," no little hillock, or mouldering 
gravestone, arrests the attention of the visitor, to remind him of his 
mortality, or tell him who lies there. A few days after an inter- 
ment, the loose sand which covers the coffin is levelled by the sea 



PORT ROYAL. 



21 



breeze, leaving no trace of the new-made grave. The only relief 
afforded to the eye in this place of skulls are a few creeping prickly 
shrubs, the mangrove, and several species of cactus, some of which 
are about twelve feet high. 

Accustomed to associate in our ideas of a great sea-port town, 
crowds of busy people, actively pursuing their avocations ; streets 
all alive with passengers, on foot, horseback, or in carriages ; dis- 
cordant sounds, and a lively confusion ; we were struck with the 
still life everywhere apparent. Neither horse, ass, cart, nor carriage, 
disturbed us with its noise, or endangered us in our walks. Only, 
we were informed, that one gentleman in the town, in government 
service, kept a horse, on which he performed his journies to and 
from Kingston, from an aversion to salt-water travelling. 

We were struck with the apparent listlessness of several well- 
dressed females, idly squatting at the doors, or under the verandahs 
of their houses. We thought that, like their sisters in England, 
they might be engaged in knitting, sewing, or something useful ; 
but such is the legitimate influence of slavery, which brands industry 
with disgrace, and dignifies idleness as gentility. 

The mission-house and chapel are under the same roof ; the lower 
portion of the building being occupied as a dwelling by the mission 
family, and the upper by the congregation, the inconveniency of 
which is sorely felt during sickness. The chapel accommodates 
between three and four hundred worshippers. The house consists 
of a hall or parlour, two bedrooms, a study, pantry, kitchen, and 
out-offices of a humble description. The absence of fire -places, car- 
pets, and several articles of furniture, indispensable to comfort in the 
mother country, is in this climate a positive luxury. 

The fact that Dr. Coke landed here in January 1789, to begin the 
Jamaica Mission, gives Port Royal a special interest in the estima- 
tion of all its friends. An innocent difference of opinion exists be- 
tween the Methodists of Kingston and Port Royal as to whether the 
Doctor preached his first sermon at the former or latt er place. One 
thing is clear, that herehewas joyfully welcomed, and hospitably enter- 
tained, by Mr. Fishley, master builder at the Royal Naval Yard, 
and that he preached at his house at a subsequent visit, about three 
years after his first arrival in the island. 

During this interval, Mr. Hammett, the first missionary sent by 
the Doctor, preached with considerable success at Port Royal, which 
so offended some that they laid a plan to assassinate him, which 
was defeated by the spirited conduct of the magistrates, who, for a 
time, gave him the use of the Court House to preach in ; but they 
were induced to revoke the permission through the faithfulness of 
his ministry ; on which Mr. Fishley opened his house, that the 
services might be continued, which brought upon him a share of the 
opposition experienced by the zealous missionary. 

In 1796 a society was formed which gave some promise, but, on 



22 



PORT- ROYAL. 



the removal of Mr. Fishley by death, it came to nothing. This 
worthy man steadfastly maintained his integrity, and after adorning 
the doctrine of God his Saviour by a holy, consistent, and useful 
life, his health gradually declined ; his sickness was severe and 
long-continued ; but patience had its perfect work. Death found 
him prepared for his change ; at length he died in sure and certain 
hope of eternal life through the merits of the Redeemer. Thus one 
of the first members of the Jamaica Mission, who had the honour of 
receiving the first Methodist Missionary, was safely conducted to 
the rest which remains for the people of God. 

Six and twenty years of barrenness succeeded, when the Rev. 
Messrs. Horne and Young, then stationed at Kingston, turned their 
attention to it in August, 1822. Furnished with letters of introduc- 
tion by some magistrates and gentlemen of Kingston, the Rev. R. 
Young applied to the Court of Quarter Sessions for leave to preach. 
A license was granted, a house hired, and the mission once more 
begun. In July of the following year, Mr. Horne observed thri he 
had spent half an hour in conversation with the widow of the late 
Mr. Fishley and her son-in-law, when the good old lady expressed 
her grateful wonder at the change that had taken place in the public 
mind since the days of bitter persecution, when the missionaries used 
to be assailed by infuriated mobs, while engaged in preaching the 
Gospel. At the end of the following year, the brethren reported 
that much good had been done, and more was expected, as a spirit 
of hearing became general, and no opposition was offered to their 
efforts. In another year, a promising society of one hundred and 
thirty members was the fruit of their ministry, while the congrega- 
gations continued large, serious, and attentive. 

From the extensive field occupied by the missionaries, and the 
manifold duties daily devolving on them, they found it impossible 
to give sufficient pastoral attention to this infant church. Still it 
continued to prosper, till, in 1829, after overcoming many obstacles, 
the present mission premises were erected, and the chapel opened 
on the 30th of September, which gave fresh stimulus to the good 
work. Accommodation for a resident missionary having been pro- 
vided early in 1830, the people were favoured with the pastoral 
care of Mr. Murray, who, with his family, removed here. The 
result was an immediate improvement in all the concerns of the 
society ; enjoying the immediate oversight of a pastor, their spiri- 
tual interests were more fully attended to, the means of grace better 
attended by the people, and a goodly number led to embrace the 
soul- saving truths of the Gospel. Many of whom enjoyed a clear 
sense of their acceptance with God, through faith in the blood of our 
Lord Jesus Christ. Several young men were reclaimed from habits 
of gross sensuality and vice, who gave promise of becoming useful 
members of the church, and creditable members of civil society. 

In conversation with several of the people, I was impressed with 



PORT ROYAL. 



23 



the spirit of genuine piety, and the knowledge of the word of God 
they possessed. One poor aged female slave spoke affectingly of 
what she owed to her Redeemer : " Me, Massa, when me Saviour 
Jesus diefu me, me owe Him meself, an all me hab, an all too lille 
(little) fu him lub fu me sinner." 

The Rev. Messrs. Duncan, Barry, and Rowden, hearing of our 
arrival, came to see us. Their accounts of the progress of the insur- 
rection were alarming ; martial law had been proclaimed ; all busi- 
ness suspended throughout the island, and every one capable of 
bearing arms called out to do militia duty. Some of the island 
newspapers were savagely urging the colonists to take vengeance on 
the sectarian missionaries as the authors of their disasters. Under 
these circumstances, we were directed to continue at Port Royal till 
the way should be open for our proceeding to Kingston. A copy of 
the " Jamaica Courant " newspaper was brought us, in which our 
arrival was noticed, accompanied by an urgent editorial recommen- 
dation to the magistrates to send us instantly back to England, ere 
we had an opportunity of doing mischief. 

In the evening, our ship's captain called, along with two of the 
officers. He exclaimed, " I really don't know what to do. I am 
attacked on every side for having brought you. Several declare 
loudly that I ought to be hanged for it." The military gentlemen 
observed, " We are ordered out to fight the rebels, but bush fighting 
we don't relish at all. If they would meet us in the open field we 
shouldn't mind it, but to be shot like dogs from behind rocks and 
trees, without seeing the enemy, isn't just the thing." Couriers 
arrived every few hours with painful accounts of estates being con- 
sumed by fire, and slaves seized, tried by court martial, and imme- 
diately led to execution ; while in the woods the poor creatures were 
rapidly falling by the fire of parties sent out in search of them. The 
carrion crows from all parts of the island were observed flocking 
around these scenes of carnage to prey upon the carcases of the 
slain. 

Mr. John Clarke, a Baptist Missionary, and his wife, came to the 
mission house in deep distress, informing us that several of his mis- 
sionary brethren in Trelawny and Hanover had been arrested and 
were to be tried by a court martial at Montego Bay, on charges of 
instigating the slaves to rebellion. " The Courant " continued to 
give rabid counsel to the colonists against the missionaries, "to 
shoot, drown, or hang them by the neck in the woods of Trelawny." 
The only paper that took up the cause of the persecuted missionaries 
was the " Watchman," conducted by Edward Jordon, a gentleman 
of colour, who fearlessly maintained their innocence, and challenged 
the editor of the " Courant" to prove his charges against them and 
their suffering people. 

After spending a peaceful Sabbath in the enjoyment of the ordi- 
nances of the house of God, when Mr. Corlett preached in the 



24 



PORT ROYAL. 



morning, and the writer in the evening, for the first time in the 
mission field, we were cheered on the following morning by the 
arrival of the Rev. Messrs. Kerr and Rowden, but their accounts of 
the state of the affairs were painfully discouraging. The circum- 
stances of several of the missionaries, with their families and flocks, 
were distressing. Mr. Kerr informed us, that the chairman of the 
district, Mr. Berry, and himself, had waited on the governor, to 
challenge investigation of the charges preferred against the brethren, 
and claim legal protection for themselves and families against the 
attempts of lawless and unreasonable men. His Excellency received 
them graciously, and promised protection. In the evening, a special 
meeting for prayer was held in the chapel, when Messrs. Kerr, Cor- 
lett, Rowden, and Burrowes poured out strong cries to Him who has 
the hearts of all men in His hand, that He would look down from 
His holy habitation, and send deliverance to His afflicted people. 
While thus engaged, the welcome news arrived, that everywhere the 
burning of estates had ceased, the slaves were returning to their 
work, and the arrested missionaries set at liberty. 

The storm having greatly subsided, it was now deemed safe for 
us to go forward to Kingston. After public service, on Wednesday 
evening, the kind-hearted people flocked about us, to bid us adieu, Mr. 
C. having announced that we should leave Port Royal early in the 
morning. " Farewell, me dear Minister, de Lord bless Massa an 
Missus, keep you in good healt, an pare you long fu labour fu Him 
own glory" were among the parting expressions of these sons and 
daughters of deeply-injured Africa. 

The Society here has always had to struggle against the wither- 
ing influence of licentious soldiers and seamen, who necessarily visit 
the town in considerable numbers, and infect the inhabitants with 
a moral pestilence, against which nothing but the grace of God can 
furnish a defence. Hence it has always fluctuated : sometimes giv- 
ing great encouragement to the missionaries, and again causing them 
to bewail the spiritual declension of their people. In 1843, the 
number of members in the church was 197, and 18 candidates for 
membership, whose attendance on the ordinances was highly en- 
couraging to the resident missionary, the Rev. H. B. Foster. 



25 



CHAPTER III. 

KINGSTON. 

Origin and Aspect of the City — Eeligious Destitution — Dr. Coke begins the 
Mission — Mr. Hammett — Parade Chapel opened — Persecution— Mr. Wer- 
rill dies — Mr. Brazier leaves the Island — Success of Messrs. Fish and 
M'Vean— Messrs. Alexander, Campbell, and Fowler arrive — Fresh Persecu- 
tions — Mr. Campbell escapes to England— Mr. Fish returns Home. 

By sunrise we were seated in a canoe, along with several pas- 
sengers, bound for Kingston. The lightness of these vessels is such, 
that caution is required in order to avoid overturning them. Usually 
they are formed of a single piece of cedar or cotton tree, scooped out, 
trimmed, and painted so as to present some resemblance to the boats 
of the Thames watermen. Ours was rowed by four slaves, and 
steered by a free sambo, who, seated at the stern, used a short broad- 
bladed paddle, while the bondsmen pulled with oars. Though their 
only article of dress was a pair of trousers, the perspiration streamed 
freely as they tugged at the oar. Gliding along, our attention was 
soon called to the north-west point of the Palisadoes, as the spot 
where several pirates were hung in chains some years ago. The 
only remaining memento of this tragedy was a black gibbet, along 
with some corroded chains and rings, which held the bodies fast, till 
carrion crows, sun, wind, and rain, entirely consumed them. On 
rounding the point, the city of Kingston, with its wharves and 
shipping, gilded with the morning beams, came into view. While 
we were sailing over the ruins of old Port Royal, we thought of its 
past history with solemn feelings. On nearing the wherry wharf, 
the ships in the harbour presented a formidable appearance ; all were 
arranged in battle order, with their broadsides presented to the city, 
having their guns in readiness to sweep the streets, in the event of a 
large body of rebels appearing, whose design, according to report, 
was to destroy Kingston, and assasinate all the white inhabitants ! 
Many ladies and children were sheltered in these vessels, to be out 
of harm's way, in case their fears should be realized by remaining 
on shore. 

On passing along, we found the streets almost forsaken of in- 
habitants. Short as was our walk between the wharf and the 
Parade, it was very wearisome, from the fierce rays of the sun act- 
ing on the deep loose sand of the unpaved streets. On our arrival 
at the mission house, we were kindly received by the mission 
family. 

c 



20 



KINGSTON. 



The city of Kingston owed its origin to the terrible earthquake 
which destroyed Port Royal in 1692. The survivors of that catas- 
trophe erected temporary huts on the site now occupied by the city, 
which, in process of time, gave place to more comfortable habitations. 
The plan of the city was drawn by one Colonel Lilly. The streets 
intersect each other at right angles, running east and west, north 
and south. The best houses are on the north or upper side, though 
several of a superior order are to be seen here and there, among 
dwellings of the humblest description, in various parts of the city. 
The stores, warehouses, and principal places of business, are in the 
vicinity of the shipping. The extreme heat of the city is consider- 
ably mitigated by the sea breeze, which is freely admitted through 
the jealousies and windows of the houses, with which the piazzas and 
rooms are plentifully supplied. As the area of the city inclines to 
the sea, during the rainy season the streets are frequently impassable, 
from the large quantity of water which rushes towards the harbour, 
carrying the sandy soil and rubbish along with it, so that fragments 
of walls, and masses of steps in front of the houses, may be seen 
overhanging the street, whose original level, in many places, has 
been reduced several feet by repeated torrents. The principal 
buildings are the Church, two Chapels of Ease, a Scotch Kirk, the 
Court-House, three Wesleyan, three Baptist, one Independent, and 
two Roman Catholic Chapels, two Synagogues, the barracks, and a 
theatre, besides the extensive military establishment of Up Park 
Camp, on the north-east of the city, and several villas in the vicinity, 
adorned with palm, orange, cocoa-nut, kenip, and tamarind trees, 
which give a perfectly Indian aspect to the city and suburbs. The 
streets are infested with numbers of goats and ugly starved swine, 
to the annoyance of all except their selfish owners, who send them 
forth to get a living as they best may. The population amounts 
to between forty and fifty thousand, of all colours and classes, who 
boast that their city is one of the most healthy localities in the is- 
land, owing to the dryness of the soil, and consequent freedom from 
miasm. Large numbers of " John Crows" (the turkey buzzard) find 
a sufficient quantity of offal, and decaying animal matter, to en- 
courage their stay about the streets and neighbourhood. 

The negro market furnishes a constant and plentiful supply of 
all sorts of vegetables and fruit peculiar to the climate. Fish is to 
be had in great variety, and butcher meat of the best quality the 
island affords. 

Being the great seaport of the island, the people are more active 
and enterprising in their habits than in other parts, where the same 
stimulating influences do not exist. 

The religious state of the inhabitants of the island previous to the 
close of last century presented ample room for the efforts of the 
Christian missionary. Over the character and conduct of the clergy, 
the historian Long draws a veil, which we need not take away. It 



KINGSTON. 



27 



is sufficient to remark, that they ridiculed the idea of communicating 
the blessings of Christianity to the slave population, while they 
adapted religion to the taste of their white paymasters : in many in- 
stances they also indulged in their sins. 

As early as 1732, a Moravian mission was commenced in the 
south-west part of the island, but the missionaries laboured on for 
fifty years with heavy hearts, complaining of the fruitlessness of 
their labours, and sighing for success in their efforts to bring souls 
to the Saviour. 

The Rev. Dr. Coke having determined to attempt the establish- 
ment of missions in all the islands of the Carribean Sea, he paid a 
short visit to Jamaica in January, 1789, and after preaching four 
times in the house of a gentleman in Kingston to small but 
increasing congregations, he was offered the use of a larger room, 
frequently employed for public concerts. On the first evening he 
preached from John iii. 3 — " Except a man be born again, he can- 
not see the kingdom of God," which was attentively listened to by 
a large audience. The next evening, about four hundred white and 
two hundred black and coloured people attended; for about ten 
minutes the Doctor freely expatiated on the glorious prediction — 
Ps. lxviii. 31, " Ethiopia shall soon stretch out her hands unto God," 
when a company of gentlemen, warmed with liquor, became very 
turbulent, and cried out, " Down with him, down with him," and 
then pressed forwards, through the crowd, in order to seize him, 
vociferating " who seconds that fellow ?" On which Mr. Bull, a 
gentleman at whose house the Doctor was entertained, stepped 
between him and the assailants, saying, " I second him against men 
and devils." At the same moment Mrs. Smith, a white lady, came 
forward, and reasoned boldly with them on the impropriety of their 
conduct, and placed herself in an attitude to do something more in 
defence of the Doctor. Perceiving that nine-tenths of the congre- 
gation disapproved of their conduct, they retired discomfited arid 
ashamed, vociferating " Down with him," as they descended the 
stairs, and disappeared, leaving the Doctor to compose the congrega- 
tion, by giving out a hymn, and taking a less offensive text. The 
serious and attentive demeanour of the people greatly encouraged 
him : He observed, "the attachment to the Gospel which was mani- 
fested by many, both among the enslaved and free, made it evident 
that a small society of truly awakened persons, both among whites 
and blacks, might be immediately formed in Kingston." 

"The island itself was too populous to sanction neglect, and too 
wicked to leave any room to conclude that the inhabitants were in 
the road to heaven. Between three and four hundred thousand 
souls, living chiefly without hope, and without God in the world, 
forbade all supineness, and the attention of many among those who 
heard, by giving an early promise of a productive harvest, pre- 
sented an opening which pointed out our path. 



28 



KINGSTON. 



"In addition to these circumstances, justice obliges me to observe, 
that no place, either in Europe or America, in which the Gospel had 
not been preached, was ever visited by me, where so many civilties 
as I received in Jamaica were conferred on me by the inhabitants. A 
train of circumstances pointed out our road ; our work lay plainly 
before us ; and God, who has promised never to leave or forsake his 
faithfnl people, provided for our safety, and supplied our temporal 
wants. The prospects before us were supported by promises of assis- 
tance from many of the respectable inhabitants, and we felt as much 
reason to exercise gratitude as faith. Four or five families of some 
property opened their houses, and very evidently their hearts, also, 
to me, and assured me, that any missionaries we should in future 
send to the island should be welcome to beds, and to everything 
their houses afforded." 

The Doctcr lost no time in sending a missionary, the Rev. Wm. 
Hammett, who had laboured in some of the Windward Islands, ar- 
rived in August, and was kindly received by a Mr. and Mrs. Lungren. 
He immediately hired a small house situated in the south-east part 
of the city, a lithograph of which is here given. In this humble building 
a society of eight members was soon formed, whose names were — 
Peter Lewis, Mary Lewis, Catherine Dawson, Daniel Coe, James 
Fead, William Harriss, Venus Harriss, and Mary Ann Able Smith, 
the heroic defender of Dr. Coke ; and soon afterwards were added 
Mr. and Mrs. Lungren, Messrs Cook and Bull, besides Mr. and 
Mrs. Fishley of Port Royal. Mrs. Smith became a distinguished 
ornament of the society, and a most successful promoter of its inte- 
rests : a class of females was committed to her care, over whose 
spiritual interests she diligently and affectionately watched. Spared 
to witness the vicissitudes of the mission, through a period of more 
than thirty years, she entered into her heavenly rest on the 4th 
March, 1823, after a pilgrimage of about fourscore years. 

William Harriss was a free black man, who had left America 
during the war of independence ; he also became a useful leader of 
a class, and for many years superintended certain arrangements for 
the funerals connected with the society in Kingston. He was a 
man of a cheerful and peaceable temper. What may be termed his 
last public appearance took place in Wesley Chapel, when the Jubilee 
of the Mission was celebrated, in 1839 ; on that occasion he was 
introduced on the platform as one of the eight members of the first 
class, which handful had now become a flock of more than twenty 
thousand, under the pastoral care of thirty-one missionaries. Hav- 
ing thus seen the prosperity of the church to which he had been so 
long attached, a few months afterwards, at a good old age, he was 
gathered unto his fathers. 

Though Mr. Hammett laboured chiefly in Kingston, he preached 
wherever he found an open door, either at Port Royal or elsewhere. 
The congregation soon became too large for the small place at first 



KINGSTON. 



rented ; on which Mr. H., after full inquiry, and with the approba- 
tion of Dr. Coke, purchased a large dwelling-house, situated on the 
Parade in the centre of the city, which was altered and fitted up for 
a chapel and dwelling for a missionary and family. Including a 
covered balcony in front, it measured eighty feet in length, by forty 
in breadth. The upper part was supplied with a gallery on three 
sides, which, with the body of the chapel, accommodated about 
twelve hundred hearers. The lower part of the building was 
divided into bedrooms, a study, hall, and pantry, and a large apart- 
ment called the " band room," which was used for meetings connected 
with the society, and a Sabbath school. Dr. Coke described it as 
" built exactly on the plan of the Methodist Chapel at Halifax, in 
Yorkshire, known to, and admired by, numbers of friends in Eng- 
land." The situation was one of the very best for publicity, airi- 
ness, and convenience. Along with the church, the theatre, and 
barracks, it formed one of the most prominent objects on the spacious 
square. A sketch of this place of worship is given in this work. 

Mr. Hammett's success at once encouraged and distressed him. 
While many received the truth in the love of it, others cruelly per- 
secuted him. After many struggles he succeeded in finishing and 
opening this place of worship before the close of 1790, which so ex- 
asperated the persecutors that they sought to destroy both the build- 
ing and the missionary. After enduring all the insults and brutal 
assaults of the mob, who sheltered themselves under the shadows of 
night, Dr. Coke observed, " To depart from persecution was to flee 
from duty, and to apply for justice was but another name for sus- 
taining wrong. To abandon the chapel altogether, was to expose it 
to ruin and demolition, and to persevere in the usual course was to 
endanger life. To quit the scene of action was to give up the con- 
test, and to arm those by whom we were oppressed with that victory 
for which they had been contending, and which would become a 
formidable weapon on every future day." 

One who remembered those scenes remarked, " Mr. Hammett 
was the bravest man he ever beheld ; he stood, calm and collected, 
proclaiming the glad tidings of salvation, while stones, eggs, car- 
cases of dogs and cats, and such offensive things, were flying about 
him !" The sufferings of both preacher and hearers led to the aban- 
donment of the evening services. After which, about twelve o'clock 
one night, a party of rioters broke down the gates of the yard lead - 
ing to the chapel ; and, but for the timely interference of four ma- 
gistrates, who were called out through the strong remonstrances of 
a friendly gentleman of the city, they wonld have destroyed the 
building. 

The matter was taken up by the public press, which for several 
months teemed with letters for and against the missionaries. Many 
anonymous articles appeared on behalf of the persecuted ; two of these 
secret friends were " masculine writers," and did good service. In 



30 



KINGSTON. 



genuine colonial style, Mr. Hammett was charged with everything 
low and criminal, while Dr. Coke was represented as having been 
tried in England for horse- stealing, and flying to America to escape 
justice 

Some of the rioters were prosecuted at the Grand Court, but, as 
usual, the jury acquitted them, in the face of the clearest evidence 
of their guilt. Mr. Bull, the steady friend of Mr. H., suffered much, 
and several times narrowly escaped with his life, particularly one 
night when he eluded the vigilance of the persecutors, disguised in 
a suit of regimentals. The Doctor again visited Jamaica in 
January, 1791 ; and on his third visit, in 1792, he found Mr. Ham- 
mett dangerously ill of fever and ague, worn to a skeleton, and 
brought to the border of the grave, through excessive labours and 
severe sufferings : for a whole month he had been laid aside, unable 
to do anything. Mr. Brazier, who had been sent to his assistance, 
landed only a few days before the Doctor. 

The evening service, which had been long suspended, was re- 
sumed by Dr. C, as soon as he got to Kingston ; some disturbance 
was made, but he took no notice of it. After visiting and preaching 
at Spanish Town, where he left Mr. Werrill, he returned to King- 
ston — preached on Sunday, and met the society after the morning 
service, which gave him great pleasure. The number amounted to 
about one hundred and fifty members, besides eighty-four in the 
country places. 

Mr. Hammett, previous to his illness, had several interviews with 
a young African prince, son of the King of Mandingo, who had 
made two trips to Jamaica with the captain of a slave ship. Seve- 
ral years previously he lost a sister, whom he supposed to have 
been stolen away ; to his surprise he found her in Kingston, having 
been actually taken and sold into slavery. She was now a member 
of the Methodist Society, along with her husband, a free black man, 
who acted as a class -leader and exhorter. The prince promised to 
send two slaves from Africa in exchange for his sister, that she 
might return to Africa, and take her husband along with her. 

The only probable means left for the recovery of Mr. Hammett 
was a change of climate, which determined Dr. C. to take him along 
with him, in order, if possible, to prolong the life of so talented and 
useful a missionary. 

In March, 1793, the Doctor paid his fourth and last visit to the 
island. In the interval, Mr. Brazier's health so failed as to compel 
him to leave the island for a season, which left Mr. Werrill, whom 
the Doctor had brought in 1791, to labour alone. Though little- 
success attended his efforts at Port Royal and Spanish Town, in 
Kingston they were greatly blessed, till he fell a martyr to his zeal. 
He constantly preached five nights in the week, and almost every 
morning, and led five classes in addition to his Sabbath duties, 
which, in such a climate, could only last for a brief period. He was 



KINGSTON. 



31 



seized with malignant fever on the 6th November, 1791. During 
his illness, he greatly enjoyed the prayers of his friends, particularly 
of Mrs. Smith, who tenderly watched him. To this pious friend he 
said, " Glory be to God, my soul has ever since (she prayed in the 
morning) been so filled with love and joy that my cup runneth 
over." Towards evening, on the 16th, he seemed just expiring, 
when Mrs. S. said, " I trust you now feel that God is love ;" 
he revived, and answered, " Blessed be God, I do." She again said, 
" And you find his strong arm supporting you in these severe con- 
flicts." He replied. " Indeed, I do. I have the assurance that 
Christ is my righteousness, and full and perfect salvation !" A few 
minutes before seven he sweetly fell on sleep, amidst the weeping 
friends, who sorrowfully witnessed his sufferings and triumph over 
death. 

Thus fell the first of many kindred spirits, who have followed 
him in his toils, trials, and end, in the same important mission, 
whose ashes await the call of the Lord ; when " They shall shine 
forth as the brightness of the firmament, and as the stars for ever 
and ever." 

The flock being left without a shepherd were exposed to the 
wolf, who soon excited them to evil surmising and disputing between 
themselves, which called for the greatest prudence and vigilance on 
the part of Mrs. Smith, and John Constant who proved himself, in 
this trying season, worthy of the name he bore, and of the office of 
leader which he held. He was a free black, and well known by the 
blessed title of the " Peace Maker." At this threatening crisis, Mr. 
Brazier, who had left the island from ill health, having recovered, 
suddenly returned, and succeeded in restoring peace and harmony 
among the people. 

The Rev. Wm. Fish arrived in May, 1792, justin time to relieve Mr. 
Brazier, whose health again failed, which compelled him to leave 
the mission altogether. Dr. Coke having traversed the island, as 
far as Montego Bay, and returned by the north side, crossing Mount 
Diabolo to Kingston, where he arrived on the 1 2th of April. The 
following morning he had some "refreshment in the public ordinances 
of God" with the beloved people ! In the afternoon, accompanied by 
Mr. Fish and several friends to the packet, he bade a final adieu to 
Jamaica, and next day set sail for England. 

Mr. Fish found the state of affairs rather better than he had an- 
ticipated. The members in the city and on the estates amounted to 
one hundred and seventy ; yet, though the violence of persecution 
had passed away, peace, rather than prosperity, marked the state of 
the mission. Till the close of July, 1794, Mr. F. was left alone to 
carry on the work, which continued peacefully to prosper in his 
hands. The magistrates encouraged him, by their protection, against 
some who disturbed a prayer meeting ; they granted a warrant, 
which made the persecutors glad to escape with paying costs and 



32 



KINGSTON. 



damages ; after whch the persecution died away. On the arri- 
val of Mr. M'Vean, it was found that one hundred and ten members 
had been added to the Society, through the labours of Mr. Fish, who 
now left Mr. M'Vean in his place, while he proceeded to follow up a 
promising opening effected by Dr. Coke at Montego Bay. 

Towards the close of the year, a considerable improvement was 
seen, through the zealous efforts of the new missionary. • Port Royal, 
which had been in a discouraging state, now revived, while several 
avowed enemies of religion began to feel some relish for saving 
truth. The Society, which had been reduced to a mere remnant, in- 
creased in numbers, " and a work of grace shone out afresh in almost 
every heart." In March, 1795, Mr. Fishley informed Dr. Coke of 
this missionary and his work as follows : — " I trust, through your 
assistance and advice, our present worthy minister will be able to 
give a happy account of his ministry. He is, in my opinion, well 
adapted to it ; he is simple, loving, persevering with all faithful • 
ness, sparing not himself. I hope he will soon have work enough 
to employ two or three more, for there are daily invitations for him 
to preach to the poor blacks, from those who were not long since 
avowed enemies of all religion. I, therefore, think it highly neces- 
sary that he should have assistance as soon as convenient." In May 
following, the missionary himself writes : — " I use my endeavours to 
remove prejudice from the minds of the people, and, blessed be the 
Lord, I have met with great success. I have introduced evening 
preaching on Thursdays, and, instead of twenty or thirty hearers, 
whom we used to have on Sundays, at four in the afternoon, we have, 
I suppose, eight or nine hundred. Many merchants and principal 
inhabitants attend, and all are very quiet and attentive. May the 
Lord, in tender mercy, lay to His hand, and build us all up for 
his glory. We greatly need ministers that will speak boldly and 
cry aloud — men who are alive to God, and who will venture their 
lives, their all, for God, and for the poor negroes." 

Two months afterwards he again wrote, " Blessed be God, we 
are increasing in number. We have no storms or persecutions with- 
out. Our chapel is frequently filled with quiet and attentive 
hearers. I hope many of our society are growing in grace in the 
love of God, and of one another." 

The encouraging prospects of the mission were not confined to 
Kingston. Some proprietors of estates containing hundreds of 
slaves were friendly, and encouraged the missionaries to visit and 
preach on the plantations. Among whom the Honourable Henry 
Shirly may be mentioned, as one of the most distinguished. 

A variety of circumstances united to counteract the efforts of Mr. 
Fish at Montego Bay, and prevent his success. He therefore 
resolved on returning to Kingston, to unite with Mr. M'V. in his 
multiplying, onerous, and successful labours. His departure from 
the small flock he had gathered was hastened, by intelligence of the 
sudden and severe illness of his bother missionary. 



KINGSTON. 



83 



On his arrival in Kingston, he found a large increase of members 
in the society, into whose character and conduct he made strict 
inquiry ; the result was the expulsion of fifty -one. " Some for the 
wilful neglect of the means of grace ; some for disorderly conduct, 
and others for acts of immorality, which would admit of no excuse." 
From the unsuspecting, hopeful temperament of Mr. M'V., and his 
extensive labours, discipline had been neglected, — hence the admis- 
sion of improper persons, and this act of Mr. F., who was a man 
of exact order, and a strict disciplinarian. 

In September, 1797, Mr. Fish wrote to Dr. Coke as follows :— 
" Surely if you saw the prospect of success which we have in this ■ 
part of the island (Kingston and Port Royal), and knew how dis- 
tressed we are for want of more help, you would send us at least two 
or three fellow-labourers without delay. My regard for the people 
of Kingston is such, that I could rejoice to spend my last breath in 
serving them. Though I have so much work that sometimes I 
scarcely know what to do first, yet it is all pleasant and delightful : 
and though constantly engaged, in public or private, abroad or 
at home, from four in the morning till ten at night, I bless God, 
I scarcely know what fatigue or weariness is, so graciously has the 
Lord renewed my strength during my voyage from Montego Bay, 
and since my arrival here." 

The urgent appeal for more missionaries was answered by the 
arrival of Mr. Alexander, in March, 1798, and, towards the end of 
April, of Messrs. Campbell and Fowler, which was an ample supply 
for the necessities of existing societies, and for making trial of open- 
ing new places. 

The loyalty of Wesley to the Sovereign and Government of his 
country, which formed so prominent a feature in his character, 
spread its influence through all the societies raised up by his labours, 
and those of his coadjutors at home and abroad. A voluntary sub- 
scription being set on foot in Jamaica to aid the Government in 
carrying on the war, afforded the Methodists in the island, few 
and poor as they were, an opportunity of exhibiting the political 
spirit of their religion. In a few days £150 was raised, and pre- 
sented as an evidence that, while they feared God, they honoured 
the King, and felt for their country, which was now exposed to 
the attacks of a powerful foe. 

In 1801, throughout the island, the number of members amounted 
to about six hundred, many of whom enjoyed the pardoning love of 
God, and all appeared earnestly seeking to enjoy His favour. Nine 
local preachers or exhorters, all blacks or persons of colour, whose 
lives were exemplary, and their gifts far from contemptible, were 
raised up to assist in the work. Four evening prayer meetings were 
held in different parts of the city every week ; and also at the 
chapel every morning at five o'clock, while on Thursday evening a 
sermon or public lecture was given. With such means and agencies, 

D 



34 



KINGSTON. 



the mission was attended with increasing prosperity. The hopes 
of the missionaries were never so high as now. 

Just as prosperity began to pour its cheering beams over the 
mission, a storm was gathering which soon darkened the scene, and 
threatened to spread desolation and ruin through the infant churches. 
Success once more awakened the demon of religious persecution. 
The conversion of some females of colour, who iised to be the easy 
prey of licentious men, exasperated the enemies of religion, many of 
whom were armed with wealth, place, and power, The rabble, 
under such patronage, began to interrupt the meetings, and disturb 
the public peace. On which the missionaries applied to the autho- 
rities to have the houses in which the meetings were held licensed, 
but were refused : while, on the other hand, these houses were al- 
lowed to be represented at the Court of Quarter Sessions as public 
nuisances, on which a prosecution was immediately commenced ; but 
nothing, except the innocence of the missionaries, and the lawfulness 
of their work being proved, the prosecutors failed in their mischiev- 
ous designs. The good cause having triumphed, went on to 
prosper, till a heavier blow was aimed at it by the Island Legisla- 
ture. 

Opposition to the mission now assumed a truly formidable cha- 
racter. The whole power of the colony was arrayed against the 
few missionaries, and the people collected by their evangelical 
labours, chiefly from among the helpless victims of slavery. 

On the 25th December, 1802, the day commemorative of the 
richest display of heaven's grace to a perishing world, there came 
forth, in the public newspapers, an Act of the House of Assembly, 
duly signed by His Excellency Governor Nugent, forbidding obedi- 
ence to the Redeemer's command, to preach the Gospel to every 
creature. 

By this Act, every principle of justice, truth, and mercy was out- 
raged. Without enquiry, charge, or trial, and contrary to all evi- 
dence, the missionaries were stigmatized, insulted, silenced, and 
robbed of the rights of British subjects, though their loyalty was 
unimpeachable — their lives blamele*ss, and their exertions purely 
benevolent, and their spirit untainted by feelings of unkindness to 
any inhabitant of the island. 

This oppressive Act described the missionaries as "ill-disposed, 
illiterate, or ignorant enthusiasts," who, by their preaching "to 
meetings of negroes and persons of colour, chiefly slaves, unlawfully 
assembled," not only perverted the minds of their hearers with 
fanatical notions, but afforded them opportunity " of concocting 
schemes of much public and private mischief." And that, after the 
passing of this Act, any of them presuming to preach, " not being 
duly qualified and authorized or permitted, as is directed by the 
laws of this island, and of Great Britain, under pretence of being 
a minister of religion," " shall be deemed and taken to be a rogue 



KINGSTON. 



35 



and vagabond/ 7 " and be punished in the manner hereinafter men- 
tioned." 

It armed each magistrate with power, " on complaint made to 
him on oath, or upon his own hearing or view, to cause the offender 
to be apprehended, and committed to the common gaol, and forth- 
with to associate with himself two other justices of the peace of the 
same parish, and to summon all persons capable of giving evidence, 
to appear before them ; which three magistrates, so associated, shall, 
upon due conviction of the offender, adjudge him or her, if of free 
condition, to be committed to the workhouse {i.e., the parish prison) 
there to be kept to hard labour, for the first offence, for the term of 
one month, and for every subsequent offence six months each :" 
And should the offender be a slave, he was, " for the first offence, 
to be committed for hard labour to the nearest workhouse for one 
month ; and for every subsequent offence to receive a public flogging, 
not exceeding thirty-nine lashes." If the offender should be a white 
person, his appearance was to be secured at the following " supreme 
or assize court, by sufficient bail or imprisonment, to answer for the 
offence, and, on conviction, to suffer such punishment as such 
court shall see Jit to inflict, not extending to life ! " 

As for " the owner, possessor, or occupier of any house, out-house, 
yard, or other place whatsoever," who, knowingly, "permitted any 
meeting or assembly of negroes, or people of colour, for the purpose 
of hearing the preaching or teaching of any person, above de- 
scribed," on conviction thereof, before the Court of Quarter Ses- 
sions," should " incur a fine not exceeding one hundred pounds, at 
the discretion of the said court, and be committed to the common 
gaol until such fine be paid, and until the offender "shall have given 
security for his future good behaviour, by recognizance, for such 
time, and in such sum, and with such sureties, as the court shall 
judge fit." 

As this Act was clearly intended to put an end to the religious 
instruction of the slave and coloured population, its evil effects were 
specially felt by the native assistants. 

Under this Act, Mr. Campbell having been thrown into gaol at 
Morant Bay, Mr. Fish saw it to be advisable to apply to the Court 
of Quarter Sessions in Kingston for a license, and after great hesi- 
tation on the part of the court, on producing his letters of ordination, 
and taking the oaths prescribed by the Toleration Act of Great 
Britain, he succeeded. The difficulty experienced by Mr. F. in 
obtaining a license, took away all hope of licences being got for the 
local preachers, even Mr. Keid, the Scotch minister, though a pious, 
worthy man, was refused along with Mr. Swiegle, a person of 
colour, pastor of the Baptist congregation, so that both were con- 
demned to silence. 

On Mr. Campbell's term of imprisonment expiring, he returned 
to Kingston, and obtained a license at the May Court of Quarter 



36 



KINGSTON. 



Sessions. Deprived of the assistance of the local preachers, Messrs. 
F. and C. laboured diligently in Kingston, uncertain whether their 
licenses would be of service in any other parish. Under these cir- 
cumstances, the congregations in Kingston improved, and the num- 
ber of members, in six months, increased from 435 to 515. 

Messrs. Fish and Campbell soon after repaired to Morant Bay, to 
apply for licenses at the Quarter Sessions, but the Court refused 
their application, which showed that a license extended only to one 
parish, and might be denied or granted. A warrant was then 
issued to apprehend Messrs. Campbell and Williams, and to lay 
them under a penalty of £100, as occupiers of an unlicensed house. 
Mr. C. frequently eluded the officers sent to apprehend him, and at 
length finding it useless to contend where no protection or justice 
could be obtained, he consulted with his friends, who fully approved 
of his determination to leave the island altogether, in order to avoid 
perpetual imprisonment. Accordingly, he set sail, and arrived in 
London in November, 1803. 

Mr. Fish being once more left entirely alone, and shut up by the 
law in Kingston, he diligently applied himself to his work, which 
continued to prosper in his hand : he was kept in peace, the congre- 
gations continued large, and the society still increased. 

As the persecuting Act of Assembly could not become permanent 
law unless it received the approbation of the King in Council, its 
existence was terminated soon after its cruel operations had begun 
to be experienced by its innocent victims. His Majesty exercised 
his royal prerogative by refusing it his sanction. The Colonial 
Legislature were, of course, chagrined, while the persecuted mis- 
sionaries rejoiced, and hailed its abrogation with gratitude to God, 
who has the hearts of all men in his hand, and can turn them 
whithersoever he will. 

The zeal of the missionary was immediately quickened — the con- 
gregations increased, and new doors of usefulness were opened by 
this happy change ; as is usually the effect of cruel measures being 
employed to crush religion. 

Mr. Fish having witnessed the end of this storm, and the return 
of religious liberty, found his health so impaired, by thirteen years' 
labour and trials in the island, that he resolved on visiting his 
native country. His departure was a loss to the mission, which was 
long and severely felt by all who wished its prosperity. This truly 
excellent man died at Guernsey only a few months before the writer 
was appointed to labour there. The following obituary, entered in 
the minutes of the Conference, shows on what ground he stands so 
high in the esteem of his brethren : — 

" William Fish was brought to God in early life, and gave 
decided proofs of a sound conversion, by the uniform consistency of 
a holy and devoted life. He entered upon the work of the ministry 
in the year 1785, and laboured with success in circuits at home for 



KINGSTON. 



37 



several years ; but such was his love to Christ, and his zeal for the 
conversion of the world, that, at the request of Dr. Coke, and from 
a conviction of duty, he left England, in 1792, for Jamaica, where 
he was associated with men who suffered 4 bonds and imprisonment ' 
for the sake of our Lord Jesus Christ ; and faithfully and judiciously 
assisted in laying the foundation of the great work of God, which 
has since been so successfully carried on in that island. In 1805, 
on account of the failure of his health, he returned to his native 
land, but was enabled to continue his efficient labours until 1816, 
when he became a supernumerary, and spent the closing part of his 
life in the island of Guernsey, where he diligently employed his 
remaining strength in the ministry of the word, the visitation of the 
sick, and other important duties, until prevented by ' age and feeble- 
ness extreme.' His piety was deep; his views of Gospel truth 
were correct and scriptural ; his preaching was clear and convinc- 
ing ; his manner affectionate and winning ; and his labours were 
owned of God in the conversion of souls. The doctrines of the 
atonement of Christ, the justification of the penitent sinner by faith in 
the blood of the Redeemer, and the enjoyment of personal holiness, 
by the renewing of the Holy Spirit, were the themes on which he de- 
lighted to dwell. He was highly esteemed and loved by all who 
knew him, as a consistent, self-denied, laborious, and useful mission- 
ary. For sometime previous to his decease, he was much debilitated 
and afflicted, and fully aware of the approach of the last enemy, 
whom he met with unskaken confidence in Him who hath abolished 
death, and brought life and immortality to light. On the 9th of 
August, 1843, he entered into rest, in the eightieth year of his age, 
and the fifty-seventh of his public ministry." 

Though he never married, he was a pleasant companion, and a 
great favourite with young persons and children. On missions being 
made the theme of conversation, his soul awoke — the missionary 
flame that fired his youthful heart rekindled, and he expatiated with 
pleasure and freedom on the incidents of his missionary career in 
Jamaica, to the delight of his listening friends. 



8S 



CHAPTER IV. 

KINGSTON— (CONTINUED). 

Messrs. Bradnack and Gilgrass arrive — Great prosperity — Mr. Knowlan — New 
persecuting Acts passed — Mr. Gilgrass imprisoned — the Missionaries si- 
lenced — Home Government memorialized — a New Act of persecution passed 
— Mr. "Wiggins imprisoned — the Mission prospers — Parade Chapel re-opened 
— Mr. Shipman arrives — Circuits formed— First District Meeting held— a 
Second Chapel opened in Kingston— Eapid progress of the Mission. 

On the way being opened, by the repeal of the persecuting Act, 
Mr. Bradnack, who had laboured since 1801 in the Windward 
Islands, arrived in Jamaica, and soon afterwards Mr. Thos. Gil- 
grass, who immediately found that " the fields were white unto 
the harvest, " and doors of usefulness open on every side, inviting 
them to enter, in various parts of the island. 

Mr. Gilgrass wrote — " The society in Kingston is the most de- 
voted. We have here many precious souls who are enabled to 
rejoice in God their Saviour, and whose hearts are warm with 
divine love. Many young persons have joined us of late, most of 
whom are in good earnest, and promising fair for the kingdom of 
heaven. Our congregations greatly increase, with both whites and 
coloured people of respectability. These give great attention, and, 
therefore, we have reason to hope that God will soon lay hold of 
some of their souls." 

Mr. Bradnack observed — " The blessed work of God not only 
spreads wider, but it sinks deeper in the hearts of our members. 
We are constantly comforted with the enlivening declarations of 
those who are born of the Spirit, and made heirs of God and 
joint-heirs with Christ. Our whole number now, in town and 
country, exceeds one thousand. So that, during the last two years, 
an addition of more than five hundred members has been made, be- 
sides many who have gone to glory, praising God for sending His 
ministers among them to preach the ' Great Word, and tell them 
of Jesus Christ I" 

Some of the poor people were severely punished for refusing to 
give up praying and listening to the preaching. Mr. Gilgrass wrote 
— " I saw a woman, a few days since, who told me that her master 
had laid her down, and sentenced her to receive thirty- nine lashes if 
she persisted in going to the chapel. She replied, ' Massa, me 
must pray.' She then received nine strokes, with great severity, 
when the blood ran in streams from her back ; a gentleman, on 
learning the nature of her offence, interposed and released her. A 



KINGSTON. 



39 



young black man, on the day he was baptized, received thirty-nine 
lashes, for no other crime than that of praying" 

Still the work went on till, in Kingston, the chapel became too 
small for the congregation ; while, in the country parts, the Lord 
poured out His blessing upon the preaching of the word, and opened 
the hearts of many to receive it. The prospect became ominously 
pleasing. Everywhere the missionaries went, they were received 
with respect, and invited to preach to considerable numbers ; past 
troubles were forgotten, and days of peaceful success were cal- 
culated on. 

In March, 1807, Mr. Knowlan arrived to strengthen the mission, 
much to the comfort of the brethren, whose work had become too 
heavy for them. Mr. Bradnack, whose health was severely shaken 
through sickness and fatigue, was quite revived with the hope that, 
as soon as Mr K. was seasoned to the climate, they should " have a 
glorious work in different parts of the country." 

Leaving Mr. K. in Kingston, Mr. B. went into the country to 
visit the estates to which he had access. No. sooner was he gone 
than many leading persons in Kingston, who were indignant at the 
growing prosperity of the mission, devised a plan to arrest, if not 
destroy it altogether. Finding private opposition and individual 
petty persecution of little avail, they moved the Corporation of the 
city to take up the matter, and use the strong arm of civil authority. 

Mr Knowlan hearing of this, and feeling himself unable to decide 
on what steps were proper to be taken in order to ward off the 
coming blow, wrote to Mr. Bradnack, who was in St. Mary's. But 
before he could reach Kingston, the Corporation had taken the affair 
into serious consideration, at the instigation of a powerful party, who 
complained that " the meetings of the slaves and others were held 
at unseasonable hours ; that people could not pass through the 
streets without being annoyed with singing and praying (the 
music that used so to delight good Baxter at Kidderminster) ; that 
they were at it all night ; that the orderly inhabitants could not 
rest in their beds without being disturbed ; and that there was 
nothing but singing and praying through all Kingston." Such 
were the crimes which the law was invoked to punish ! which places 
the success of the missionaries in a very strong light, and also the 
animus of their enemies who made no complaint of being disturbed 
by the riot, dancing, song singing, billiards, drinking and theatrical 
amusements, that abounded through the city when the 11 orderly in- 
habitants " were in their beds ! — such sounds gave no disturbance 
to their balmy slumbers ! 

Mr. B. received the painful intelligence while he was in the act 
of preparing to preach and administer the Lord's Supper to a small 
country society. As soon as the service was over, he mounted and 
rode to Kingston, in order to appear before the Common Council, 
who were about to enact a law that would prohibit all religious 



40 



KINGSTON. 



meetings being held before sunrise, or after sunset, which would 
at once put an end to the usual services of the missionaries except 
on a part of the Lord's-day, and effectually exclude the slave popu- 
lation from religious instruction, as it was an easy matter for owners 
of slaves to keep them away between sunrise and sunset on the Sab- 
bath, as well as on week days. 

Mr. B. drew up a petition to present to the court, but after wait- 
ing two hours in the Court House, the affair was postponed for a 
week. Meanwhile a man was arrested and thrown into prison for 
praying too loudly in his own house, between eight and nine o'clock 
in the evening ! 

The object of Mr. B.'s petition to the Council was to inform their 
Worships that the hours of service in the chapel were from five to 
six o'clock in the morning, and between seven and eight in the 
evening — of the doctrines they taught, and duties they inculcated — 
the loyalty of Methodists as a body, and the beneficial effects of 
their teaching. Having consulted some professional gentlemen on 
the character of his petition, and the nature of the impending law, 
Mr. B. was assured that he might calculate on success. On which 
he committed the petition to his colleague for presentation, and 
returned to his country mission greatly cheered with the hope that 
all would be well. 

On the appointed day, Mr. Knowlan appeared before the court, 
and, on presenting the petition, had the mortification to see it treated 
with contempt. He was asked several questions, his answers to which 
appeared to give satisfaction to the most prudent and best informed ; 
others would listen to nothing that could be said, though several 
seemed to be dissatisfied with the " Ordinance." Only one gentle- 
man had the courage to speak in favour of the missionaries, and he 
declared, that " he thought they had no right to pass such a law ;" 
and that, " however he might differ from others in modes of religion, 
he was utterly averse to those principles which contracted the 
liberties and fettered the consciences of such as wished to worship 
God." This noble-minded gentleman had no supporter! and the 
" Ordinance " was passed into a law. Which began by setting forth 
the duty of magistrates " to uphold the due, proper, and solemn ex- 
ercise of religion, and worshipping of God." And "whereas nothing 
can tend more to bring true devotion, and the practice of religion, 
into disrepute, than the pretended preaching, teaching, and expound- 
ing of the word of God" " by uneducated, illiterate, and ignorant per- 
sons, and false enthusiasts : And whereas the practice of such pre- 
tended preaching, teaching, and expounding the Holy Scriptures, by 
such description of persons as aforesaid, to large numbers of per- 
sons of colour, and negroes of free condition, and slaves assembled 
together in houses, negro houses, huts, and the yards thereunto 
appertaining, and also in divers lands and by-places within this city 
and parish, hath increased to an alarming degree," &c. : " it is hereby 



KINGSTON. 



41 



enacted that, from and after the first day of July next, no person, 
not being duly authorised, qualified, and permitted, as is directed by 
the laws of this island, and of Great Britain, and in the place men- 
tioned in such license, shall, under pretence of being a minister of 
religion of any sect or denomination,* or of being a teacher or 
expounder of the gospel, presume to preach, or teach, or offer up 
public prayer, or sing psalms, in any meeting or assembly of 
negroes, or persons of colour, within this city and parish," &c. A 
white offender was to be fined to the extent of £100, or imprisoned 
in the common gaol for the term of three months, or both : if a free 
black or coloured person, £100, or three months' confinement in the 
workhouse (i.e., the bridewell) or both : if a slave, six months' im- 
prisonment, and hard labour in the workhouse, or by whipping, or 
both ! For holding a meeting in any licensed place, earlier than 
the hour of six in the morning, or later than sunset in the evening, 
the preacher, though licensed according to law, was subjected to a 
fine of £100, or three months imprisonment, or both. And the 
owner, possessor, or occupier of any house, out-house, yard, or other 
place, who permitted preaching, if a white, coloured, or free black 
person, or a slave, he was to be treated exactly as the preacher as to 
fines, imprisonments, hard labour, with whipping, &c. ! 

The reader is left calmly to consider this exercise of the civil 
power, in order to see the painful position to which it reduced the 
most peaceable, if not always the most prudent, members of the 
community. 

The victims of this law were now exposed to every species of 
calumny, slander, and insult, because " on the side of the oppressors 
there was power," which was the more keenly felt, as no coloured 
man could prosecute a white person, however ill he used him. 
Their only refuge lay in Him " whose eyes are over the righteous, 
and his ear open to their cry." Hence they were driven more than 
ever to secret prayer, watchfulness of spirit, and diligent improve- 
ment of the limited means of religion still spared to them. As this 
law did not extend beyond the precincts of the city, a gentleman of 
Kingston offered the missionaries a piece of ground on which to 
build a chapel in the suburbs ; but want of funds, and an unwilling- 
ness to seem to bid defiance to the magistracy, kept them from avail- 
ing themselves of the kind offer. 

No case presented itself to call this Act into operation till 
November following, when an opportunity offered itself to the ene- 
mies of the mission to level a still heavier stroke at its existence, by 
cutting off every slave from missionary instruction. 

The various laws enacted from time to time for the treatment of 
slaves, being arranged and consolidated into one law, the religious 
instruction of slaves was enjoined to be given by their masters, mis- 

* The French and Spanish priests and Jews were allowed full liberty and protec- 
tion. 

E 



42 



KINGSTON. 



tresses, owners, or overseers, who were to endeavour their in- 
struction " in the principles of the Christian religion, whereby to 
facilitate their conversion, and do their utmost endeavour to fit them 
for baptism." 

The second clause goes on, " Provided, nevertheless, that the in- 
struction of such slaves shall be confined to the doctrines of the 
Established Church in this island : and that no Methodist missionary % 
or other sectary or preacher, shall 'presume to instruct our slaves, or 
to receive them into their nouses, chapels, or conventicles of any 
sort or description, under the penalty of £20 for every slave proved 
to have been there, and to be recovered in a summary manner 
before any three Justices of the Peace, who, or a majority of whom, 
are hereby authorised and empowered to issue their warrant for 
recovery of the same ; and, on refusal of payment, to commit the 
offender or offenders to the county gaol until payment of the said 
fine or fines." 

This severe and sweeping law passed the House of Assembly on 
11th November, 1807, the Council on the 27th, and on the follow- 
ing day the Lieutenant-Governor, Sir Eyre Coote, gave it his 
assent. 

The first victim of the city " ordinance " was Mr. Gilgrass, who 
had been in the habit of teaching the young people to sing hymns 
from five to six o'clock in the evening ; but on the 20th November 
he was led to continue singing fifteen minutes after six, thereby 
violating the law by a quarter of an hour ! The house was imme- 
diately surrounded by the police-officers and a magistrate, with the 
night-guard, who entered and arrested Messrs. Gilgrass and 
Knowlan, in order to carry them to the cage ; but the officer, on 
receiving sureties for their appearance at the Court-House by 10 
o'clock next morning, retired, and, on farther entreaty, promised to 
" let the matter drop but the magistrates being informed of the 
circumstance, summoned them to appear on the 30th, when, after two 
hours standing in the court, the following judgment was pronounced 
by the Mayor : — " William Gilgrass, you are found guilty, by a 
large majority of this Assembly, of a breach of the resolution of the 
late ' ordinance,' keeping your house a receptacle for that purpose, 
for which you are to be confined in Kingston common gaol one 
calendar month." 

Mr. Knowlan was pardoned on the ground of the infirm state of 
his health. After being a few days in prison, several friends went 
to see Mr Gilgrass, who gave out a hymn, the singing of which 
brought several debtors into his room, and around the door : one 
asked him to pray, and they all begged him to preach to them on the 
following Lord's-day ; but next day all singing and praying in the 
gaol was forbidden by the magistrates ! At the end of a fortnight 
he was set at liberty ; but on account of the new persecuting Act of 
the Assembly, the chapel was shut up, which almost broke his 



KINGSTON. 



43 



heart. The difficulty of knowing who were or who were not slaves, 
rendered this step imperative ; however, he ventured to open the 
chapel, after appointing door-keepers to watch and keep out every 
slave that could be recognised. Thus, while persons of free condi- 
tion were admitted to the house of God, the poor slaves crowded 
about the doors with looks of deep anguish, while, with many tears, 
they wrung their hands, exclaiming, " Massa, me no go to heaven 
now " "White man keep black man fra serving God " Black man 
got no soul " No body fu teach black man now." As the mission- 
aries silently gazed, and listened to their plaintive language, the 
iron entered into their souls ; it was a harrowing picture of lega- 
lised cruel oppression of the poor children of miserable Africa ! 

Within a fortnight, Messrs. Bradnack, Gilgrass, Knowlan and 
Wiggins — the latter of whom had recently come to* the island — 
were cited to appear before the magistrates. On making their ap- 
pearance, they were interrogated, and warned not to preach without 
a license. They replied, that they were all licensed according to the 
laws of England ; but they were informed that the laws of England 
were nothing to the magistrates of Jamaica. Mr. Knowlan then 
moved these gentlemen for a license ; but they said — " indeed you 
will not get one," on which they retired. 

Mr. G., in a letter to Dr. Coke, informed him fully of the peri- 
lous state of the mission, observing, "if we can have no redress 
from home we must leave the island; but I hope better things. 
Till then we must patiently wait in expectation of hearing from you, 
and learning what we are to do. At present, I cannot read in the 
family, or pray, without being cursed worse than a pickpocket, and 
that by white men, who are called ' gentlemen.' We dare meet no 
more classes ; the corporate body having given orders to the police- 
officer that if he can discover us (one or more), either by day or 
night, he is immediately to take us down to that offensive prison, 
the cage ; and that all the punishment which is in their power shall 
be inflicted. Nothing appears to satisfy them but our banishment." 

When the Court of Quarter Sessions was held on the 18th 
January, 1808, Mr. Wiggins applied for a license, but in vain. 
Mr. Bradnack made a similar application, but with no better suc- 
cess. It was of no use for him to exhibit the license he had re- 
ceived in England, bearing the signature and seal of the Lord 
Mayor of London, or to plead the Toleration law of the mother 
country. 

Mr. Johnston, along with Mr. Wiggins, having been sent to assist 
the brethren, found the mission reduced to this condition on their 
arrival. Rumours were afloat that a plan had been entered into to 
destroy the chapel by fire under cover of night ; and while some 
friends were at family prayer the house was assaulted on both sides 
with a volley of stones, the effects of which were eluded by closing 
all the windoAvs. 



KINGSTON. 



At the March Quarterly Meeting of the Society, the 15th of 
April was fixed on as a day of fasting and humiliation before God, 
on account of the afflicted state of the church. 

It was also resolved that the missionaries should wait on the Go- 
vernor with an address, and Grave his protection • and also to peti- 
tion the Quarter Sessions to be allowed to take the oaths and qualify 
by license ; but all their hopes were extinguished, no attention 
being paid to them. 

Their only resource now was an appeal to the Throne. The mat- 
ter was taken up by the Committee in England, whose business it 
was to guard the religious and civil privileges of the Methodist 
Church, who presented a memorial " To the King's Most Excellent 
Majesty in Council," setting forth the large amount expended in 
sending missionaries to Jamaica and erecting places of worship and 
dwellings ; the success which crowned the efforts of the mission- 
aries, who had about thirteen hundred negroes and persons of colour 
under their pastoral care ; that against these a grievous religious 
persecution had been commenced, by which the missionaries were 
silenced, and their chapels shut up ; that the few clergy in the 
island confined their attention to the whites ; and about four hundred 
thousand slaves were, by this law, effectually excluded from all pub- 
lic worship — a measure of persecution unexampled in the Christian 
world — and praying, that on the arrival of the law to receive the 
approval of his Majesty, counsel might be heard against it ; and, 
finally, that his Majesty would be graciously pleased to disallow the 
said acts. Soon after this " The Right Honourable the Lords of 
the Committee of Privy Council for Trade and Plantations " were 
memorialised by a Committee of Deputies of the three denomina- 
tions of Protestant Dissenters, expressing regret that an act, di- 
rectly contravening the rights and privileges secured to them by 
the Toleration Act, 1 W. and M., cap 18, should be passed by the 
Assembly of the island of Jamaica — pointing out its intolerance — 
the danger of allowing it to be passed into law — and praying that 
the Most Honourable Board, as the more immediate guardians of 
the law, and trustees for the liberties of the subjects in the depen- 
dencies of the empire, would, in their wisdom, be pleased to advise 
his Majesty to prevent the said Act from passing into a law, by refu- 
sing thereto his Royal assent. 

Aware that such an Act could not possibly receive the Royal 
assent, it was not forwarded to England for that purpose till further 
delay was impossible. At length an agent arrived with it, who was 
instructed to enforce all its clauses, if at all practicable. 

In the spring of 1809, the Board of Trade took up the matter. 
Dr. Coke had anxiously waited in London for about eight months, 
in two successive years, to get the painful affair settled. At 
length his anxieties were terminated by the receipt of the 
following : — 



KINGSTON. 



45 



" Office for Trade, 

" Whitehall, 26th April, 1809. 

" Lord Bathurst presents his compliments to Dr. Coke, and ac- 
quaints him that the late Act passed in Jamaica, in November, 1807, 
' for the protection, subsisting, clothing, and for the better order and 
government of slaves, and for other purposes, 7 was, this day, disal- 
lowed by his Majesty in Council." 

The decision was immediately transmitted to the Methodist So- 
cieties throughout the United Kingdom and the colonies, which gave 
universal pleasure, and fresh stimulus to the loyalty of a people 
whose attachment to the House of Hanover has ever been enligh- 
tened, warm, and sincere. 

This important decision was not publicly announced in Jamaica 
till the following August. On which Messrs. Johnston and 
Wiggins applied to the Town Council in Kingston for leave to 
re-open the chapel, promising to regulate the hours of public service 
according to the prescriptions of the city " ordinance ; " but though 
their petition was read, its prayer was refused, and the following 
record entered in their minutes : — " Resolved, that the prayer of 
this petition be, and it is hereby denied /" 

In 1810, another persecuting Act passed the Assembly, and re- 
ceived the approval of His Excellency the Duke of Manchester, the 
Governor, on the 14th November. By this law the Judges of the 
Supreme Court were to approve or disapprove of any person present- 
ing himself to take the oaths and qualify according to law, &c, as a 
preacher to the negroes and people of colour : that four successive weeks' 
notice should be given in the island newspapers previous to any one 
applying for a license, and the same for any houses or place of wor- 
ship : that, should anyone, after being qualified, be complained against 
as an unfit 'person to teach, his qualification to be declared null 
and void ; and any party feeling himself aggrieved by the decision 
of the court, might appeal to the Governor and Council, whose 
decision should be deemed final. 

As this Act was limited to a certain period, ending in December, 
1811, ere it could receive a formal rejection by the King in Council, 
it would be about expiring : however, it kept the missionaries under 
the tender mercies of their oppressors till then. Meanwhile, the 
persecutors had the modesty to ask for the use of Kingston chapel 
for the temporary accommodation of the free school, which was 
readily granted by the injured missionaries, from October, 1811, till 
August in the following year. 

After the removal of the free school, Mr. Wiggins resolved on re- 
opening the chapel, as the persecuting law had run its course, and no 
law was now in existence to forbid him. Accordingly, on the 26th 
August, 1812, he preached in the forenoon to a large congregation, 
but one of the city guard was sent to warn him not to preach again 
in the afternoon ; to which message he replied, " Tell the police- 



46 



KINGSTON. 



officer that the people will come again in the afternoon, and that I 
shall preach, if spared, because there is no law of the Imperial 
Parliament, or of the island, to prevent me." About a thousand 
hearers attended in the afternoon, who listened with deep attention 
and feeling, after being so long deprived of the privilege of publicly 
worshipping God. 

Next morning, as Mr. W. had anticipated, he was summoned to 
appear before the sitting magistrates, who, after a trial of two hours, 
during which he was not allowed to speak, without the most un- 
seemly interruptions, he was, without any law or reason, committed 
to the common gaol for a month ; the magistrates acting at once in 
the capacity of law makers and administrators ! 

His confinement was close ; no one being allowed to see him, 
except a faithful negro hired servant, who suffered and sympathised 
with his oppressed master ; his name was Thomas Wallace. He 
continued with Mr. W. till he left Jamaica, in 1818, when the 
people, desirous of giving a token of affection and esteem for their 
faithful minister, presented him with a handsome sum of money, 
which he accepted, and with it purchased the freedom of this faith- 
ful slave. 

The imprisonment of Mr. Wiggins procured for him many friends 
even among such as had hitherto felt no interest in him or his 
mission. The legal injustice inflicted on him excited a considerable 
degree of public sympathy altogether unlooked for : many advocates 
were raised up in his favour. During this persecution, a fearful 
hurricane, followed by a terrific earthquake, desolated and shook the 
island, which were regarded by many as expressions of the Divine 
displeasure against a guilty land. Under this impression, they 
flocked to prayer meetings in large numbers, where their souls were 
more abundantly blessed than they usually had been under the preach- 
ing of the word in the public assemblies. A powerful reaction took 
place ; the leaders now began to meet their classes regularly, and 
attend the weekly Leaders' Meeting, while general prosperity at- 
tended the mission. 

In a letter, dated 4th April, 1813, Mr. Wiggins observes — " In 
October, 1811, when the care of the Society devolved upon me, the 
number therein was about 560, which has increased to 1723 ; and 
the people's growth in genuine piety and holy zeal is, I think, in 
proportion to their numbers. We have upwards of fifty prayer 
meetings, in which we sing as well as pray ; notwithstanding we 
are not yet suffered to preach in our chapel ; however, we feel that 
God is with us." 

Early in 1814, Mr. John Davis was sent to assist Mr. W., but it 
was not until the Quarter Sessions, held on the 17th May, that he 
was allowed to qualify. A special meeting for fasting and prayer 
was held on the 13th, by the members of the Society, to implore the 
Hearer of prayer to influence the court in favour of the application. 



KINGSTON, 



47 



The favourable decision of the court diffused joy and gladness 
throughout the island, among the people who longed to see the day 
of religious freedom once more dawn, after a long and stormy night 
of sorrow. By the 3d of July, the chapel having undergone certain 
necessary cleaning and repairs, was once more opened, after having 
been shut up seven dreary years. The people sung, prayed, and listened 
to the word with feelings under the full influence of their new circum- 
stances, and anticipated days of peace and happiness for the future ; 
but in three months they were called to witness the end of Mr. 
Davis' labours. On the 8th Oct. he was seized with yellow fever, 
and in five days he was consigned to the grave. " He was a native 
of London ; his piety was eminent ; he lived in the spirit of his 
Christian profession, and died joyfully declaring that ' heaven was 
his.' " As the grave closed upon his ashes, the grief of the people 
was heightened by the circumstance that the privilege of entering 
the house of God was buried with him, he being the only licensed 
missionary at the time for Kingston. 

A few weeks afterwards, Mr. and Mrs. Shipman arrived ; but, as 
the Quarter Sessions were just over, he was too late to apply for a 
license to be allowed to preach, on which he lost no time in present- 
ing a petition to the Court of Common Council for leave to open the 
chapel, until he might be qualified by the next Court of Quarter 
Sessions ; but though politely received, his request was refused — the 
majority being still hostile to the instruction of the slaves. 

After waiting till February, 1815, Mr. S. applied to the Quarter 
Sessions, but was again refused, as was the case also in the follow- 
ing May, and again in August. By this time his heart was deeply 
grieved, as the Society, from want of the public means, was rapidly 
falling into decay ; the meetings were deserted, and the prospects 
growing darker from month to month. At length he resolved to make 
a final application to the Quarter Sessions in November, and, in the 
event of a refusal, to leave Kingston altogether. Having called several 
of the leading friends together he requested them to supplicate the 
throne of Him who has the hearts of all men in his hands, while he 
proceeded to the court in order to make his application. Their cries 
entered the ear of the Lord of Sabaoth, and succeeded — a majority 
of the gentlemen on the bench voted in his favour. He was allowed 
to take the oaths, and soon returned to the mission house with the 
cheering intelligence. The anxious brethren could scarcely believe 
the fact, from mingled feelings of joy and long-deferred hope. 
Though the license was granted, under certain limitations, it gave 
great pleasure. The conditions were, that no public services should 
be held after dark, nor on any week-day, excepting at such times 
as there was service performed in the parish church. 

The re-opening of the chapel was an event which diffused uni- 
versal joy among the people. On the Lord's-day, 3d Dec, 1815 r 
Mrs. Smith, the heroic defender of Dr. Coke, who had till now con- 



48 



KINGSTON. 



tinued one of the most consistent, pious, and zealous leaders in the 
society, was appointed to open the doors of the house of God. After 
having been so long closed, she performed the delightful task with 
many tears of grateful joy, and earnest prayers that God would 
never again suffer them to be shut against his people. 

The soul of Mr. Shipman was revived and encouraged. The 
leaders were afresh baptised with a spirit of pious zeal, and through- 
out the society there was a general quickening. The chapel was 
soon found to be too small for the numbers that crowded to hear the 
Gospel, so that a large opening was made in the floor, through which 
the preacher might be heard, though not seen, by those who listened 
in the large school-room below. 

Hitherto the whole island had been considered a single circuit ; 
but as it consisted of several stations widely separated, and the num- 
ber of members in the Society 2700, with four missionaries, at the 
suggestion of Mr. Wiggins, it was divided into four, viz., " Kingston, 
Spanish Town, Morant Bay, and Above Rock;" to supply which 
more missionaries were earnestly solicited. 

In Kingston the brethren were much encouraged in their work ; 
to the Committee they wrote : — " Our prospects are truly pleasing. 
We have enlarged our chapel, but it is far too small. Could we 
raise another as large, in a convenient part of this populous city, we 
are persuaded it would be filled with attentive hearers. The word 
of the Lord has free course, and is evidently glorified in the conver- 
sion of immortal souls. Great peace and harmony exist in our Zion. 
We meet with no opposition from the civil power." 

The Methodist Conference of 1816 having formed Jamaica into a 
District, and appointed Mr. Wiggins chairman, who was to direct 
the labours of the missionaries, the first Annual District Meeting 
was held in Kingston, in March, 1817. 

The rapid increase of the Society in Kingston rendered a second 
place of worship immediately necessary. A large house, with a 
spacious yard and out-houses, being offered for sale, in a wide street 
south-east of the Parade, a subscription was entered into and the 
purchase made. The liberality of the members on this occasion was 
highly honourable to them. A general spirit of kindness towards 
the undertaking was shown by the inhabitants, many of whom con- 
tributed handsomely. The upper part of the building was fitted up 
to seat about 600 hearers. The affair was zealously carried forward, 
so that, at the Court of Quarter Sessions, the magistrates were taken 
by surprise when the building was presented for registration. One 
of whom exclaimed, " How far are these people to spread ! how high 
are they to rise!" It was opened for public worship before the 
close of 1818, by Mr. Johnston, who, after labouring in the Wind- 
ward Islands, was again appointed to Jamaica as chairman of the 
District. The last instalment of the expense incurred was paid in 
two years afterwards, by Mr. Ratcliffe. This place of worship was 



KINGSTON. 



49 



named Wesley Chapel ; and, even with this addition, in 1819 there 
was not sufficient accommodation for the members, who amounted to 
3271 in the circuit, while in the whole island there were 6540, being 
an increase of 1053 during the year. 

Along with much to encourage the brethren, at the District 
Meeting held at Kingston, in January, 1820, there were various 
circumstances which rendered it a solemn season. Mr. Adams and 
Mrs. Home had been carried off by malignant fever ; Mr. Under- 
bill's health was in a precarious state ; Mr. Shipman intimated his 
wish to leave Jamaica ; an unusual mortality prevailed around, and 
trade was in a depressed state ; all of which tended to sadden the 
hearts of the brethren and people generally, though in the District 
1000 members were added to the Societies during the year. 

Mr. Ratcliffe, in expressing his gratitude to God for having been 
preserved and enabled to labour successfully for nearly three years 
in the hot city of Kingston, took notice of the terrible ravages of 
the fever among the military at Up-Park Camp. The 92d and 50th 
regiments suffered severely ; their place of interment looked like a 
newly ploughed field. Mrs. Godden, the wife of a minister, who 
had been only six months in the island, and the Rev. Mr. Kitchen, a 
Baptist minister, who had been fifteen months, were carried off. 
He was esteemed as a faithful and laborious servant of the Redeemer; 
his death was deeply lamented by the members of his church, and 
by all who knew him. It is a striking fact that, at nearly equal 
intervals every few years, the fever becomes exceedingly general 
and fatal in the island, and this seemed to have been one of these 
seasons when the king of terrors holds his carnival. 



p 



CHAPTER V. 



KINGSTON — (CONTINUED) . 

Messrs. Duncan and Young arrive— Wesley Chapel erected— Arrival of Messrs. 
Whitehouse, Jenkins, and Allen— Death of Mr. Allen— Ohjectionahle resolu- 
tions passed — A District Auxiliary Missionary Society formed — A new per- 
secuting Act passed by the Legislature — Ebenezer Chapel built — Death of 
Missionaries — Another attempt at legislative persecution — Mr. Barry prose- 
cuted for libel— First watch-night service held— Alarm of the Colonists at 
the progress of Anti-Slavery principles — The insurrection — Colonial Union 
formed— Report of the House of Assembly denounced by the Missionaries. 

A fortnight after the sittings of the District Meeting, held in 
January, 1821, had closed, Messrs. Duncan and Young arrived in 
the island ; the former proceeded to St. Thomas-in-the-East, and 
the latter remained in Kingston, along with Mr. Home. The 
growing prosperity of the mission called for more chapel accommo- 
dation than the late addition afforded, which led the brethren to 
determine on raising subscriptions towards the erection of a 
suitable building on the site of Wesley Chapel. Accordingly, 
Mr. Young made a commencement, by announcing from the pulpit, 
on 21st April, 1822, that subscriptions would be gladly received 
for this purpose. Early next morning a worthy woman brought a 
dubloon, declaring " that Jesus loved her much, and that by 
giving this she did him no service, for all she had was his." In a 
subsequent letter, Mr. Young observed — " The foundation-stone of 
our new chapel was laid on the 18th of July, in the presence of an 
immense crowd of people, who witnessed the ceremony with great 
interest. The building has since been getting rapidly forward, and 
many handsome donations have been received from this community 
towards its erection. Mr. Horne and myself have called upon the 
members of the corporate body, and other gentlemen in the city, 
and all have subscribed liberally, with the exception of a few indi- 
viduals, who, we have reason to believe, did not withhold their 
favours from any hostile motive. I have also called upon several 
gentlemen in St. Andrew's parish for their aid, and in not one case 
have I been refused. I have also received very handsome sub- 
scriptions from both Jews and Roman Catholics, and, in that parish 
alone, obtained nearly £100 from the white population; thus is 
prejudice dying away!" There were now in Kingston Society 
alone — free persons, 1793 ; slaves, 2217 ; total, 4010 members. 

After great exertion, on the part of Messrs. Horne and Young, 
the new chapel was opened on 21st December, 1823 — a remarkably 



KINGSTON. 



51 



short space of time for the erection of such a building in such a 
climate and under such circumstances ; but all parties vied with 
each other in pushing it forward. The accompanying lithograph 
represents the front elevation and part of the west side of the chapel, 
with a school -house which was attached to it early in 1843. It 
is eighty-four feet by seventy-four, forty two in height, and built of 
the best brick. The front elevation has a commanding aspect ; four 
pilasters of chalk stone, surmounted by a balustrade and cornice 
of the same material, along with a rather massive door piece, render 
it a noble object ; and, as it towers above the neighbouring houses, 
it forms a good sea-mark. The view from the roof is magnificent, 
as the streets of the city, the plain of Liguanea, with the lofty moun- 
tains which bound it, the harbour and shipping, the palisadoes, Port 
Royal, the Carribbean Sea, stretching far towards east, south, and 
west, with a variety of striking objects, present themselves to the 
eye of the spectator. A feeling of poetical sublimity steals over 
the soul while gazing around. The arrangement of the interior is 
greatly injured by the height of the gallery, which separates the 
preacher from the congregation occupying the body of the building. 
The pulpit being constructed to command the hearers occupying the 
gallery, is of such a height as to try the nerves of every preacher 
till he gets accustomed to it, especially as it has a swinging motion. 
The gallery and roof are supported by fluted Corinthian columns 
of cedar, of which wood the pews also are made, while the front of 
the gallery presents a deep cornice with panels and rails of maho- 
gany. There is room for nearly 2000 hearers. Most of the sittings 
below are free. Malicious reports were diligently spread throughout 
England as soon as this building was erected, in order to impress 
the supporters of the Missionary Society with the importance of 
inquiring into the way in which their contributions were expended, as 
£30,000 Wc.s the amount stated in a certain religious periodical to have 
been laid ou. on this place of worship. It is true that fully £9000 
were laid out, but it was all contributed in the island by the people 
themselves, many of whom had no connection with the Society, but 
gave liberally to show their good will, as is frequently the case in 
England when a good work is going on, and against which no good 
natured person will object or wish to hinder. 

Mr. Young observed, in reference to the opening of this chapel : 
— " The congregation assembled on the occasion was large and re- 
spectable, there being present several magistrates, and other persons 
of influence. The service was commenced in the morning at a 
quarter past ten, by singing ' Lo, God is here,' &c, after which I 
read prayers. Mr. Horne then preached from Matt. xiii. 32. In 
the afternoon, the chapel was again crowded, when it fell to my lot 
to officiate. I preached ^rom Ps. cxxxii. 13-16. The greatest order 
was preserved during both services, notwithstanding the concourse 
of people ; and the joy which beamed in the countenances of our 



52 



KINGSTON. 



members during the day, was, no doubt, the true index of their feel- 
ings. The presence of God was powerfully felt among us, and the 
season will be long remembered by many, as a time of refreshing 
from the presence of the Lord. The collection for this day amounted 
to £80." 

In March, 1824, the mission was strengthened by the arrival of 
Messrs. Whitehouse, Jenkins, and Allen ; but the latter, after 
preaching once in Kingston, was seized, first with inflamation in the 
kidneys, then inflamation on the lungs, accompanied with violent 
fever, which baffled every remedy that was applied by the best 
medical skill that could be procured. For some time he was sorely 
troubled with the thought of being out of his providential way, but, 
at length, he got relief, and said : " The Lord hath not sent me to 
Jamaica to labour, but to praise him." He exhorted all his breth- 
ren to assist him in praising God, and repeatedly told Mr. Young 
that he felt Christ was with him ; and, a few minutes before he ex- 
pired, he lifted up his trembling hand, and waving it in token of 
victory, exclaimed, with emphasis, "Praise ! Praise ! Praise !" and 
immediately ceased to breathe, Thus, in three weeks after he arrived 
in the island, he was safely landed on those shores where there is 
" no more death, neither sorrow, nor crying." 

About this time the missionaries began to feel the influence of 
certain events which placed them in a trying position, and led them 
to publish certain resolutions, which brought upon them the severe 
censure of the committee in England. The British Parliament hav- 
ing taken up the momentous question of ameliorating the condition 
of the slave population, with the view of preparing them for full 
emancipation at some future period, the colonists took alarm, and 
immediately became the prey of every report calculated to feed their 
jealous fears. The missionaries were represented as the paid agents 
of the African Institution, and sowers of disaffection among the 
slaves, under pretence of teaching them Christianity. News of an 
insurrection in Demerara, and the treatment given by the colonists 
to Smith the missionary having arrived, heightened the alarm, and 
suggested that a similar method might be tried with the Wesleyan 
missionaries in Jamaica, who, at this period, were the otdy religious 
teachers in the island suspected to be hostile to the system of 
slavery, with the exception of two or three clergymen of more than 
ordinary piety and zeal. Rumours were also industriously spread 
that in several parts of the island the slaves were becoming dissa- 
tisfied, and making attempts to gain their freedom by violent and 
sanguinary means. 

About this time, also, the free black and coloured people presented 
a petition to the Legislature, praying to be relieved from certain 
pains and penalties inflicted on them for no other reason than their 
being tainted with African blood. On this ground they were disqua- 
lified for aspiring to a seat in the Island Legislature ; of voting at the 



KINGSTON. 



53 



election of a member of Assembly ; of becoming a magistrate 
or officer of militia ; of appearing on a jury, or possessing the 
powers of a vestryman, with sundry privations of a similar civil and 
social description. This application was regarded as another evi- 
dence of some deep-laid scheme of the missionaries in order to over- 
throw colonial institutions. Under all these circumstances, an Act 
was passed by the House of Assembly, authorising the Governor to 
remove from the island any suspected person. 

At Kingston, a missionary, who had been several years in the 
island, found great difficulty in obtaining a license from the Court 
of Quarter Sessions ; while, in the parish of St. Ann's, two who ap- 
plied were peremptorily refused. A proposition was at length 
made in the Supreme Court to send all the missionaries off the 
island, under the late Act authorising the Governor to do so. In 
this emergency, four out of ten missionaries, then stationed in the 
island, met at Kingston, and drew up some resolutions with the hope 
of averting the coming evil, which were sent to each of the absent 
brethren, to get his opinion upon them. Three utterly condemned 
them, and the others objected to certain portions. On which the 
chairman appended his signature, and sent them to " The Jamaica 
Royal Gazette," from which they were copied into several London 
papers, and sounded from one end of the nation to the other, in 
triumph by the advocates of slavery. 

The whole Wesleyan body were compromised. The committee 
felt called upon to pass five stringent, counter, explanatory, excul- 
patory, and apologetical resolutions, and place two of the mission- 
aries under censure for allowing themselves to be betrayed or 
frightened into such an act of indiscretion. 

A copy of these resolutions was forwarded by the Secretaries to 
the Right Honourable Earl Bathurst, one of his Majesty's principal 
Secretaries of State, and to His Grace the Duke of Manchester, 
Governor of Jamaica. 

The admirable character of these resolutions, and the measures 
taken by the committee, produced salutary effects on all parties in- 
terested in them, without placing the missionaries in a worse 
position than they were in before. The mission still advanced in 
extent and interest, and the congregations in Kingston continued 
very large. In June, 1826, Mr. Duncan observed — " Our week- 
night services continue to be delightfully attended. I think a sight 
of these congregations would convey a seasonable reproof to many 
of our friends at home. In this city we have two chapels, and we 
are forced at present to have them both open for week-night preach - 
ing at the same time. The average of the two congregations, taken 
together, is not less than two thousand five hundred, and the num- 
ber of hearers on the Lord's-day also is evidently on the increase." 

The want of schools was painfully felt at all the stations. Ade- 
quate means for their establishment and support in the way of 



54 



KINGSTON. 



teachers and funds could be attained only to a very limited extent. 
To supply this deficiency, as far as possible, in Kingston, a school 
was opened at Wesley Chapel in December. It was formed of a 
range of out-houses belonging to the original premises. The ex- 
pense of fitting it up was about £60 ; and it served the purpose till 
1843, when a suitable building was erected. 

One of the most interesting events of the year was the formation 
of a District Auxiliary Missionary Society, to aid the general fund of 
the parent Society. Branches had been formed at several stations 
some years previously. A public meeting was held in Wesley Chapel, 
when Henry Foskey, Esq., took the chair. The noble edifice was 
thronged with nearly 3000 people, who manifested an intense interest 
in the business of the meeting, in which all the missionaries took 
a part. The collections were above £100, which, along with the 
contributions of meetings held at other stations, amounted to £572 
10s. Id. It was a season of great joy to the brethren, who beheld 
with gratitude this evidence of the success of their labours among 
the people in their sympathy for a perishing world. 

Ere the year ended, the Legislature once more determined to 
assail the missionaries, by enacting a new consolidated slave law, 
which passed the Assembly on the 7th December, the Council on 
the 22d, on which day also it received the consent of the Governor, 
the Duke of Manchester, being the second time he had thus exer- 
cised his high authority. The clauses affecting the mission were 
the 84th and 85th, which imposed a penalty of not less than £20, 
nor more than £50, on any sectarian minister or other teacher, who 
should dare to keep open any meeting after sunset or before sunrise ; 
to be recovered before these justices, one half to be given to the 
informer, and the other to the poor of the parish ; and, in default of 
payment, to be committed to the common gaol for one month. 
From which Presbyterians, Jews, and Roman Catholics were 
expressly exempted, by a proviso introduced by Mr. Batty, who 
also proposed and carried a clause imposing a fine of £20, or one 
month's imprisonment in the common gaol, on any religious teacher 
who should receive any money, or other chattel whatsover, from any 
slave or slaves, inasmuch as ample provision was furnished, by pub- 
lic and private funds, for their religious instruction. 

This Act was not to take effect till May, 1827, nor to continue 
in force longer than three years. Taught by experience of the past, 
the missionaries determined to disregard this disgraceful attempt to 
rob them and their people of their religious and political privileges, 
and to pursue their labours as formerly, confident of support from 
the parent Government and the committee in England. 

In 1827, Messrs. Barry and Kerr were stationed in Kingston, at 
which time the circuit, through continued prosperity, had become 
excessively onerous, the number of members amounting to 4182, 
called loudly for additional labourers and chapel accommodation. In 



KINGSTON. 



55 



order to meet the latter necessity, Messrs. Barry and Kerr arranged 
for laying the foundation-stone of a third chapel in Kingston, on 
a piece of ground a little west of the city, on the Spanish Town 
Road, a sketch of which is here given. The ground was the gift of 
a Hebrew gentlemen, Abraham Riettid, Esq., on condition that, 
within four years after the conveyance, the building should be 
finished. The foundation was laid on the 21st October, 1827, on 
which Mr Duncan remarks — " Besides Messrs. Barry and Kerr, 
who were then stationed in the circuit, the preachers who assisted 
on the occasion were Messrs. Murray, Morgan, and Duncan. A 
sermon was preached from the well known words, "What hath 
God wrought I" and though it was computed that not fewer than 
8000 persons were present, yet, as the speakers stood on an elevated 
platform, all were able to hear. Few more imposing spectacles than 
this had ever been witnessed on the island. The services commenced 
about five o'clock, and immediately afterwards the sun became 
hidden in a cloudy tabernacle, which screened the immense multitude 
from the fierceness of his rays. The sight was truly solemn ; and 
the vast assembly, either listening with the stillness of death, or 
lifting up their voices in praise, as the noise of many waters, seemed 
to anticipate that day when the whole church of God shall join in 
the new song in our Father's kingdom." It stands prominently 
forth to the view of passengers sailing between Port Royal and 
Kingston, as well as of travellers between the city and Spanish Town. 
It is a plain, substantial brick building, of good workmanship, sur- 
rounded by a brick wall, which also encloses a large burying- 
ground. The chapel measures 60 feet by 45 outside the walls, and 
was completed and opened about the close of the following year. 

The hand of death fell heavily on the Kingston missionaries in 
the autumn of 1828. Thomas Charles Morgan, who arrived in 
1826, fell a victim to fever. He was distinguished by deep piety, 
a spirit of prayer, and eminent devotedness to God. As a preacher, 
he was zealous, faithful, clear, and forcible, and many souls will be 
the crown of his rejoicing in the day of the Lord. He attended a 
prayer meeting in Wesley Chapel, August 29th, went home, and was 
immediately seized with fever, which numbered him with the dead 
in a few days. While suffering, he exclaimed, " Oh, this dear 
atonement! the blood of Jesus Christ cleanseth from all sin — from 
all sin 1" Then he called to those around him, " Oh, brethren, 
trust in God — trust in God ; 0 praise — 0 praise !" and having 
prayed for all present, and for the prosperity of the work of God, 
fell peacefully asleep in J esus at 7 p.m., September 2, in the 26th 
year of his age, and in the midst of his ministerial usefulness. The 
tears of the multitude, who followed his remains to the grave, told 
eloquently how much he was loved. 

Three weeks had scarcely passed over, when the wife of Mr. 
Murray was also taken away. She was distinguished " for a meek 



50 



KINGSTON. 



and quiet spirit, and the practice of every personal, social, and rela- 
tive virtue." 

Two weeks later, another promising young missionary fell a 
victim to fever. Mr. Mark Harrison, who landed on the island in 
February of the preceding year. " His ardent piety, amiable dis- 
position, and constant discharge of pastoral duties, gained him 
general esteem. He was an intense student, and his profiting emi- 
nently appeared in his public ministry, which excited considerable 
attention, and was instrumental in bringing many souls to Christ." 

While his brethren and the Church were looking with hope to 
his being long spared and becoming an eminent minister, he was 
suddenly called away to serve in the courts above, on the 7th 
of October, in the twenty-third year of his age, and third of 
his ministry. He departed in great peace, after speaking delight- 
fully of his entire dependence upon the atonement of Christ, and, 
with tears, expressing his gratitude to God for being kept in pos- 
session of his reason, while the malignant fever was carrying him 
rapidly to the grave. Mr. Murray, thus bereaved, was placed in 
circumstances of deep anguish, in the midst of a sorrowing people, 
who sympathized at once with him in his loss, and bewailed their 
own. 

The Island Legislature, unabashed by past defeats, determined on 
a new crusade against the missionaries. Accordingly, a " sectarian 
committee" was appointed, whose task it was to gather, by examina- 
tion of witnesses, good, bad, and indifferent, matter of accusation 
against them ; and, having done so, they prepared a report, in which 
they "laid many and grievous complaints against the brethren," 
which they could not prove, without once giving the accused an op- 
portunity of proving their innocence. This famous report was pre- 
sented to the House of Assembly, when it met in 1828, in which it 
set forth that the missionaries were guilty of extorting money from 
their congregations by every possible pretext, and of resorting to 
the most indecent expedients in order to get it : that, in order to 
gain ascendancy over the negro mind, they taught the " doctrines of 
equality and the rights of man," preached sedition even from the 
pulpit, cast odium on the public authorities of the island, not except- 
ing the representative of majesty itself, produced abject poverty, loss 
of comfort, and discontent among the slaves frequenting their chapels, 
and deterioration of their masters' property ; and concluded by re- 
commending the House to adopt the most positive and exemplary 
enactments to restrain them. On this being received by the As- 
sembly, it was moved that the slave law of 1826 should be passed 
and enforced, but it was too late in the day. The governor, Sir 
John Keane, refused to sanction such clauses, and thereby main- 
tained his own honour and the civil rights of the missionaries. 

The missionaries were indignant at the obscenity and falsehood of 
the witnesses, whom they publicly charged with being bribed to 



KINGSTON. 



57 



swear falsely. Mr. Barry and the Baptist missionaries repelled and 
exposed the shameless falsehoods of the wretched witnesses through 
the columns of the " Jamaica Watchman," of December 7th ; while 
the " Montego Bay Gazette " gave forth a sound, clear, strong, and 
appalling, to the accusers of the missionaries, and concluded a power- 
ful article by calling upon them thus — " Declare openly your oppo- 
sition to these missionaries to have its origin in the consideration of 
religious instruction having a tendency, too rapidly for your views, 
to enlighten the negro minds, and to militate against the continu- 
ance of slavery. Say at once manfully — 1 We consider your in- 
fluence as detrimental to our interests. We desire and covet the 
brute labour of our slaves alone. They labour for us contentedly, 
if in ignorance ; but open their eyes to the comforts of human life, 
of divine salvation, and we cannot extort from them one-third of 
that emolument which they anteriorly accomplished for us.' This 
we say would be compressing the lengthened arguments used against 
their ministry into a few words. Candour would then prevail over 
deception ; and, instead of resorting to subterfuges and restrictions, 
to cause their expulsion from the island, you might more ingenu- 
ously, if not so politically, exclaim, ' Go hence, we need you not. ' n 
In April, 1829, an action for libel was brought against Mr. 
Barry by Mr. Beaumont, editor of the " Courant," a newspaper that 
did more than all others to damage the cause of the slaveholder, and 
hasten emancipation by the extreme violence and recklessness 
of its articles. This gentleman, long accustomed to victory in 
Jamaica courts of law, no matter which side of a question he took, 
or who his opponent, thought that he could easily inflict chastise- 
ment on the mission by prostrating a popular missionary. The 
libel was founded on some remarks made by Mr. Barry on the un- 
seemly conduct of the prosecutor at a missionary meeting held in 
Spanish Town, the proceedings of which he disturbed, and threat- 
ened to dissolve it, in his capacity of magistrate, on the ground of 
one of the speakers having alluded to the tyrannical conduct 
of some magistrates of St. Ann's. Stung by some strictures con- 
tained in a letter of Mr. Barry to the " Kingston Chronicle," in 
which he observed that he had never seen " the magisterial dignity 
sunk so low " as on that occasion, the prosecutor laid his damages 
at £2000, and confidently waited for the day of expected triumph. 

As each of the parties determined to plead his own cause in per- 
son, the whole population of the island expected the result with a 
degree of interest and excitement beyond what had ever been mani- 
fested in any simila- judicial contest. The past achievements of 
the editor with pen, tongue, or more deadly weapons, rendered him 
so formidable an opponent, that even gentlemen of the long robe 
were afraid to meddle with him. 

On the appointed day, the Court-House in Kingston was crowded 
at an early hour with spectators of every grade of society, all anxious 

G 



58 



KINGSTON. 



to witness the result of this strange affair. The plaintiff having 
stated his case, proceeded to call witnesses, all of whom were cross- 
examined by Mr. Barry, who declined calling any witness on his 
own side, and requested that Mr. Beaumont would proceed at once 
to address the jury, after which he would reply. Unprepared for 
this movement, the plaintiff would have declined, but the court 
, ruled that this method should be observed. Mr. Beaumont having 
delivered a bitter, abusive, and inflammatory address, Mr. Barry rose, 
recapitulated the evidence, and delivered an address to the jury, in 
which he drew such a picture of the character of the prosecutor, 
and his past conduct in the island, in language at once chaste, 
clear, and elegant, as excited astonishment throughout the court, 
and obtained from the jury an immediate verdict of " Not Guilty!" 
On the verdict being pronounced, the court rang with the cheers of 
the excited crowd, while the multitudes which thronged the outside 
re-echoed the joyous sounds, with such hearty goodwill, that they 
pealed through the whole city, accompanied by handkerchiefs and 
hats waving in the air, as if an event had taken place in which 
every one felt he had an individual interest, and from which he ex- 
pected great things. Mr. Beaumont never recovered this defeat, 
nor did he again meddle with any sectarian missionary. Even those 
who had no goodwill to the mission secretly rejoiced that this 
troublesome man had at length received what he had given to so 
many, who were still suffering from the wounds he had mercilessly 
inflicted on them through litigation, or the medium of his vile 
journal. 

Little that is worth recording transpired in 1830, excepting that, 
for the first time, a watch-night service was held in Parade Chapel, 
Kingston, when 2000 persons assembled to spend the last hour of 
the old year, and the first of the new, in solemn religious worship. 
It was a season of gracious influence, as were also those in connec- 
tion with the services held on Christmas and New-Year's-Day. A 
day-school, which was opened in November, 1829, gave as much 
encouragement as could reasonably be expected. The Ladies 
Society for Promoting Christian Knowledge in London, engaged to 
pay for the education of twenty slave children, which example was 
followed by a few other friends in Kingston. Six of the scholars were 
received as members of the church in the course of the year, while 
the progress of the children in the Sabbath- schools was cheering to 
the teachers and friends. 

During 1831, elements were collecting for the last and most 
threatening storm that ever burst upon the mission. The efforts of 
the friends of the negro to effect the abolition of slavery by this 
time were telling so powerfully on the Government, and the public 
of Great Britain, that the colonists, alarmed at the prospect of 
slavery sharing the fate of -the slave trade, by British legislation, 
resolved to avert so dreaded an event by every available means. 



KINGSTON. 



69 



The press was brought into active play both in the colonies and in 
England. Agents were employed ; seditious and fiery speeches 
were delivered in the House of Assembly, and at parochial 
meetings held throughout the island, while the planters and others 
interested uttered threats and hurled defiance against the mother 
country, whose cruel injustice, they exclaimed, absolved them from 
their allegiance to Britain. Members of Parliament, emancipation- 
ists, especially Wilberforce and Buxton, along with the sectarian 
missionaries, were held up as objects of execration for daring to 
interfere with their slaves. In the presence of their servants 
they spoke extravagantly of their determination and power to per- 
petuate slavery, though the whole world were arrayed against them ! 
These unguarded proceedings and speeches suggested to the slave 
population that the King and people of England either had or were 
about to set them free, but that the planters kept them in bondage, 
without holding out to them even a distant prospect of liberty. The 
result was a determination to take, by force of arms, what they consi- 
dered no man had any right to keep from them — the birth- right of per- 
sonal liberty. A plot was laid, and the flames which burst forth in the 
parish of St. James, on the night of the 28th of December, 1831, 
told the terrified inhabitants that its execution was begun. 

Suspicions were awakened, as usual, against the missionaries, 
as the authors of this rebellion, and summary vengeance was invoked 
on their heads by the editor of the " Courant," Mr. Bruce. This 
thoroughly bad man did all he could to excite the colonists to mur- 
der the victims of his cruel counsel. Martial law having been pro- 
claimed by the Governor, Lord Belmore, on the 31st, the whole 
militia of the island were called out, and courts-martial established 
in every parish ; and then commenced those scenes of blood which 
will for ever disfigure the annals of the island. With regard to the 
missionaries, the editor of the " Courant " observed — " Shooting is 
too honourable a death for men whose conduct has occasioned so 
much bloodshed, and the loss of so much property. There are fine 
hanging woods in Trelawny; and we do sincerely hope that the 
bodies of at I the Methodist preachers who may he convicted of sedi- 
tion may diversify the scene. After this, our hostility, even to 
men so reckless of blood, carnage, and slaughter, shall cease !" 

As the Annual District Meeting was about to be held in Kingston, 
and the rebellion being confined chiefly to the parishes of Trelawny, 
St. James, Hanover, Westmoreland, and St. Elizabeth, the mission- 
aries were daily expected from the disturbed districts. 

On the morning of January 13th, we were cheered by the arrival 
of Mr. Box, who, after five days' imprisonment in Spanish Town 
gaol, by order of the Governor, was set at liberty, no evidence being 
produced of his having had anything to do with the rebellion, 
except the groundless accusations contained in the " Cornwall 
Courier "and "Courant." 



60 



KINGSTON. 



The following day, Messrs. Barry and Duncan accompanied Mr. 
Burrows and the writer to the Mayor of Kingston, in order to 
obtain a license to prosecute their missionary work, but his Honour 
informed them that he could not act during the existence of mar- 
tial law. 

On the evening of the 19th, Messrs. Whitehouse and Wood came 
in from St. Ann's, bringing painful information of the cruelties exer- 
cised on some of their slave members. Henry Williams, being 
caught praying in his house, was sentenced to receive 450 lashes, 
and two other slaves 500 each, for refusing to swear that Henry was 
guilty of exciting the slaves to rebellion. 

The next day, Messrs. Pennock, Barry, Whitehouse, Kerr, Wood, 
and Corlett, appeared before the Governor, with a memorial on the 
subject, which his Excellency assured them would be inquired into, 
along with other outrages complained of. 

" The Jamaica Watchman " and " Kingston Chronicle," to some 
extent, were of great service in repelling the shameful charges 
brought against the missionaries by the hostile journals. It was a 
pleasing circumstance that no interruption of the usual public religi- 
ous services took place in Kingston during this season of alarm and 
outrage. 

By the beginning of February the storm, in which great numbers 
of the slaves, besides a considerable amount of property perished, 
had entirely passed away, and on the 5th martial law terminated. 
No time was lost by the missionaries in assembling in Kingston, in 
order to hold the Annual District Meeting. Amidst much that was 
painful, they had great cause to thank the kind Providence which 
preserved the lives of all the brethren, and along with this, the clearest 
evidence of their innocence during this fiery trial. They could not 
but feel grateful that the 12,025 members then under their pastoral 
care, with one or two exceptions, continued unimpeached, though 
every expedient was resorted to to involve them in the guilt of par- 
ticipating in the rebellion. 

Scarcely had the mission weathered this tempest, when one of a 
new character sprung up, which, after sweeping away several places 
of worship, and exposing the lives of several of the missionaries to 
extreme peril, was hushed into a calm that continues to the present 
day. On the 26th January, a confederacy was formed at St. Ann's 
Bay, styled " The Colonial Church Union." Presidents, Secretaries, 
Treasurers, and a Committee were chosen, and their object made 
known at a meeting held on the 15th February following. Unions 
were to be formed in each parish, and a general one to represent the 
whole island. Their design being to prepare a petition to the Le- 
gislature for the expulsion of all sectai ian missionaries from the 
island — to carry out a more rigid discipline among the slaves, in 
order to counteract sectarian influence — to publish a periodical for 
the refutation of every statement inimical to the continuance of 



KINGSTON. 



61 



slavery, and to use every means to extricate from punishment any 
one who might violate law in carrying out the intention of the union. 
Anticipating prosecutions for the lawless deeds they intended to 
perpetrate, they observed, through the columns of their leading 
organ, the " Courant," for this we must be prepared by our unions ; 
but nothing was to be feared so long as the Jury Box was within 
their range ! These unions were to protect ali those who, for the 
general good, were active in expelling from their veins the poison 
of sectarianism, and preventing its farther infusion. One of its first 
efforts should be to destroy those organs of sedition and blasphemy, 
which have assisted in disseminating that poison (the " Watchman" 
newspaper) ; to support or countenance, in short, no press or person 
who should advocate the hateful cause of the Dissenters ! 

The grand achievement of this confederacy was the destruction of 
several chapels on the north side of the island ; but, to the mortifi- 
cation of these zealous defenders of slavery, Kingston refused to 
follow the example of eleven parishes in forming a union. To make 
up for this strange apathy in so noble an enterprise, a number of 
the north side chapel-destroyers engaged to be in Kingston on a cer- 
tain evening, to unite with the editor of the " Courant " and his 
friends in the destruction of the sectarian chapels in the city. The 
first selected for demolition was Ebenezer Chapel, it being a little 
way out of the city, where, it was expected, no interruption would be 
given. However the plot came to the knowledge of some friends 
of the mission, and means were instantly prepared to defeat it. On 
the evening fixed for the assault, an unusually large number of men 
appeared at the evening service at Parade Chapel, apparently pre- 
pared for something extraordinary. At the close of the service, a 
gentleman disclosed the whole to the missionary, informing him that 
a sufficient guard was to be placed at each of the Wesleyan and 
Baptist chapels in the city, while the main body was to defend the 
first that should be attacked. Soon after nine o'clock, large num- 
bers of armed men were seen moving towards Ebenezer Chapel. On 
two of the missionaries going about midnight to see what was doing, 
they were challenged by the sentinels, and informed that all was in 
readiness to repel any attack, and that they had better retire to rest, 
leaving them to take care of the chapels. 

These movements showed the conspirators that their designs were 
discovered and provided against. The Mayor of the city saw the 
necessity of providing a " civic guard" for the protection of property, 
lest mischief should result from parties under such excitement com- 
ing into collision. A proclamation was accordingly put forth as 
follows : — " Whereas the attention of the magistrates of the city has 
been attracted by a paragraph in this day's " Courant," of a most 
wanton and highly exciting character, having a tendency to influ- 
ence the minds of the population of the city, and to induce outrage 
and violence on the sectarian places of worship. Notwithstanding I 



62 



KINGSTON." 



feel the most entire confidence in the morality and good disposition 
of all classes of the inhabitants, which would render futile any 
attempt to bring so dire a disgrace upon Kingston, yet I feel it pro- 
per to, and hereby do enjoin, and call upon all magistrates, all 
members of the civic guard, and all special and other constables, to 
be on the alert, and to use their most active endeavours to protect the 
Baptist, Wesleyan, and other sectarian buildings from outrage or 
spoliation," &c. &c. 

On the following evening, the friends again took possession of the 
chapels, and were challenged by two of the mounted city guard, 
who desired them to go home, and leave the protection of the pro- 
perty to those appointed by the Mayor. However one of the guard 
put on this duty being the notorious editor of the" Courant," some of 
the friends remained all night in the vestry, distrustful of such a 
a guardian, who, when taunted with his conduct, protested his inno- 
cence, and denied being the instigator of the mischief, or entertain- 
ing a wish to injure the missionaries ! 

The House of Assembly having appointed a Committee to inquire 
into the causes of the late insurrection, received and ordered the 
report to be published on the 26th of April, in which the mission- 
aries were directly charged with being instigators of rebellion. 

This brought the missionaries with the stewards and leaders of the 
several circuits to Kingston on the 10th of May, 1832, and after fully 
considering the charges, they passed eight resolutions vindicating 
themselves, and their system of instruction and church discipline, from 
every one of the statements and charges contained in the report of the 
Rebellion Committee, fearlessly denouncing them " as utterly false 
and unfounded," and challenging any and all the members of Assem- 
bly to produce a single fact in support of their injurious allegations. 

The editor of the " Watchman " had nobly stood forward in de- 
fence of the missionaries throughout the long-continued conflict, he 
was therefore a marked man. During his absence from Kingston 
on militia duty, an article appeared in the " Watchman," charging 
the Kingston Presbyterian minister with being the writer of a cer- 
tain inflamatory article against the missionaries which appeared in 
the " Courant." On this ground, the accused prosecuted Mr. 
Jordon, as editor of the " Watchman," for libel, as he refused to 
give up the name of the writer. The result of the lengthened trial 
was Mr. Jordon's condemnation to six months' imprisonment, and a 
fine of one hundred pounds ; but, on the case being represented to 
the Home Government, he was released before the term expired, 
and the fine never was exacted. 

While such speedy justice was executed on a defender of the mis- 
sionaries, no jury could be found in Jamaica to convict any of their 
persecutors ! On Mr. Jordon's release, he entered on the duties o 
an alderman of the city, having beeen elected while in gaol to that 
office by the suffrages of his fellow-citizens, as a mark of their 
esteem for, and sympathy with him. 



63 



CHAPTER VI. 

KINGSTON— (CONTINUED.) 

Earl of Mulgrave succeeds Lord Belmore— Collision between the Governor and 
Assembly— Eoyal Proclamation against Unions— Fury of the Unionists- 
Encouraging aspect of the Mission — Departure of the Earl of Mulgrave — 
Addresses by the Missionaries. 

After three years' residence in the island, Lord Belmore sailed 
from Port Royal, on the 12th June, to the great mortification of the 
members of the " Colonial Church Union," who had nothing to fear 
from a governor whose administration gave full scope to their pro- 
ceedings. That the missionaries should suffer him to depart in pro- 
found silence told significantly that their loyalty owed nothing to his 
conduct as a governor. His successor, the Earl of Mulgrave, ar- 
rived on the 29th of July, 1832. The various religious and politi- 
cal parties lost no time in giving him such a reception as his rank 
and their respective interests suggested. Congratulatory addresses 
came from every quarter ; nor were the missionaries behind their 
neighbours in this matter. 

In an address, they congratulated his Excellency on his appoint- 
ment to the government of the colony, and safe arrival — alluded to 
the difficult circumstances in which he was placed by late disturb- 
ances, and hoped that his administration would tend to remove un- 
happy feelings, and promote tranquillity — spake of the loyalty of 
their people during the late insurrection — hoped for protection in 
the enjoyment of their civil and religious privileges — that his Ex- 
cellency's government would prove the commencement of a glorious 
era — and concluded by wishing him every personal, official, and do- 
mestic blessing and happiness. 

His Excellency's reply was satisfactory. After thanking them, 
&c, it concluded thus : — " It will be my duty, as an uniform sup- 
porter of the cause of religious liberty, to extend to you that protection 
in the enjoyment of your rights and privileges which our constitution 
has granted, and which, whilst acting upon the principles put 
forward in your address, I see no reason to suppose that you will 
ever forfeit." 

His Excellency lost no time in visiting all the parishes in the 
island, and inquiring minutely into the condition and movements of 
the different parties into which the community was divided. He 
visited alike the negro in his hut, or in prison, and the great houses 
of the aristocracy, that he might discover the discordant elements he 
was called to keep in peace, and, if possible, form into something 
like a harmonious whole. 



64 KINGSTON. 

On the Legislature meeting in October, the hopes and fears of all 
in the island were called into full play as to the line of policy the 
Governor would pursue, his prudence having hitherto kept all in sus- 
pense. His opening speech was characterized by a due regard for'the 
interests of all concerned in the real welfare of the colony, as well as 
the supreme authority of the Imperial Government, and, of course, 
inimical to the principles and designs of such an association as the 
" Colonial Church Union." 

The effect of the address may be seen in the reply of his Excel- 
lency to the remarks made on it by the Assembly. After thanking 
the gentlemen of the Assembly, for their expressions of confidence 
in his character, and their approval of his first acts of government, 
he proceeded, " I wish that, consistently with my sense of duty, I 
could here close my reply, and refrain from expressing to you the 
extreme surprise and the deep disappointment excited in my mind 
by various sentiments, and by much of the general tone of your ad- 
dress. The speech with which I thought fit to open your sessions, 
was one which, there is none amongst you can doubt, was conceived 
in the most conciliatory spirit ; nor do I believe that any one has 
thought of accusing it of containing one word at variance with such 
a spirit. It broached no theory — it required no sacrifice. It an- 
nounced only for the present a boon and a concession ; and, for the 
future, patient examination at home, and a determination on my 
part to report fully and faithfully from hence. I know not, there- 
fore, how it called for a reply of so extraordinary and desultory a 
nature. You state mutual forbearance and conciliation to be the 
principles by which the Legislature of Jamaica has always been 
guided. I regret the more, that this day, when I thought I 
had the least right to expect it, you should have shown to- 
wards me this exception to your general rule. Many of the 
topics you have introduced I consider most inopportunely ad- 
dressed to me on this occasion, and to them, therefore, I hold 
it to be needless to make any reply." On their denial of the 
right of the British Parliament to interfere with island legislation, 
his Excellency observes : — " I regret most deeply that, on such an 
occasion, you should have chosen gratuitously to raise so invidious 
a question, by stating that you never did admit the right of the 
House of Commons to legislate on the internal affairs of J amaica. 
For all your established privileges I shall always maintain the 
most inviolable respect. I cannot listen to the declaration of any 
such doubt addressed to me without asserting, in the most unequi- 
vocal terms, the transcendent power of the Imperial Legislature, 
regulated only by its own discretion, and limited only by restrictions 
they may themselves have imposed. The long experience of the 
past, as to the right which has always existed, is your best security 
for the future, that it will never be exerted but in extreme cases ; 
and no one would more deplore than myself, should imperious 



KINGSTON. 



65 



necessity ever require such direct interference. But it is unfortu- 
nate at this moment, that you should not have rather preferred a 
temperate appeal to the justice, than a vain denial of the rights of 
the British nation. The undisturbed consciousness of strength on 
the part of a great and generous people, is the surest safeguard that 
the nicest sense of equity will continue to act as a self-imposed re- 
straint on the exercise of unusual but indisputable power. 7 ' On 
some complaints, grounded on jealously, he remarks — " It is such 
premature complaints, such groundless accusations, which alienate 
the public mind in Europe from the cause of the colonists, 
and if you continue thus to speak for yourselves, I much fear 
that it will be in vain that any one will attempt to speak for you 
there." 

This inauspicious opening of the Assembly was the first expres- 
sion of the spirit that pervaded it throughout, and led ultimately to 
its dissolution. 

On the 20th November, the Speaker laid before the House three 
messages of his Excellency ; one of which was " Instructions 
received from Government as to the repairing and rebuilding of the 
sectarian chapels," which had been destroyed by the members of the 
"Colonial Union." The answer proposed was — "If Government 
will rebuild the estates works, and compensate us for the injuries 
done through the sectarians, we will rebuild the chapels, and twenty 
more besides, if required !" 

The dogged temper of the Assembly rendered it impossible for the 
Governor to proceed in his plans of benefiting the colony, and 
therefore he resolved to use his prerogative in ridding himself of a 
body of men blindly bent on ruining their own interests by their 
unreasonableness. On the 14th of December, his Excellency, in 
releasing them from the duties of legislation, spoke thus : — " Mr. 
Speaker, and Gentlemen of the House of Assembly, — I could not 
but foresee, by the tendency of your very first proceedings, that I 
might at any time find myself obliged to take the disagreeable 
steps which are this day forced upon me. When inflammatory topics 
were wantonly introduced into your first address to me, it was im - 
possible to calculate how soon the most conciliatory intentions might 
be diverted from their original direction by an imperious sense of 
duty. In continuation of the same line of conduct, you thought 
proper afterwards to place certain resolutions on your journals on 
the subject of your address and my reply. As these resolutions 
were not communicated to me by message, I thought that, acting 
upon the intention I expressed, under any provocation, steadily pur- 
suing the course which I conceived to be for the benefit of the 
colony, I might avoid taking immediate notice of it, and allow the 
public business to proceed to its close ; and to this determination I 
should have adhered, but for this difference between you and the 

H 



6G 



KINGSTON. 



and the other branch of the Legislature,* with which I have myself 
no concern. But I cannot dismiss you from your attendance here, 
without noticing a resolution in which you have stated that a doc • 
trine advanced by me was subversive of your acknowledged rights, 
and dangerous to your lives and properties. The doctrine you have 
thought fit to stigmatize is not mine. It is one laid down by every 
constitutional lawyer. It is maintained by the practice of your 
own courts. It has been uniformly asserted in official communica- 
tions with my predecessors, by all successive advisers of the Crown 
under every different administration. When you speak, therefore, 
of your acknowledged rights, I am at a loss to conceive by whom 
and when those rights which you now assume were ever acknow- 
ledged. The right of the Imperial Parliament of legislating for all 
his Majesty's subjects, when it thinks fit, is inherent in that body, 
and has never been abandoned, except as it regards the internal 
taxation. The 18th of Geo. III., which makes that an exception, 
proves the general right of legislating over the colonies. You must 
always recollect that I never originated this discussion. The ques- 
tion is of your own raising — the dispute is of your own seeking — the 
provocation was given entirely by you, and with you must its con- 
sequences rest. 

" I have no intention of ennmerating other instances in which 
you have disappointed long expectations. So much of your conduct 
appears to court that crisis which is now arrived, that you cannot be 
surprised when I announce to you, that it is not my intention again 
to call together the present House of Assembly. As soon as the 
circumstances of the present season render it expedient, I shall 
direct new writs to be issued ; and it is a matter of satisfaction to 
me that, upon this occasion, I shall appeal to an enlarged constitu- 
ency. The liberality of that enactment which did away with all 
distinctions of colour, I duly appreciate. I have no doubt that the 
newly enfranchised freeholders will show they deserve the trust 
reposed in them, and that, in its exercise, there will be no more 
emulation, on all sides, than a desire to prove the soundness and 
moderation of their principles, — the extent and devotion of their 
loyalty." 

This was a heavy blow to those who had hitherto possessed the 
power of speaking and acting with little or no control ; and, on the 
other hand, it ministered encouragement to the persecuted mission- 
aries and their flocks, whose chapels, in several places, had been 
reduced to ruins, by the hands or counsel of the men whose power 
was thus suddenly broken. Though this had been an year of un- 
precedented persecution of the mission generally, Kingston felt little 
of it, as it was at a considerable distance from the scenes of outrage 

* On the right of the Council to originate bills, which the Assembly denied and 
resisted. 



KINGSTON. 



67 



connected with, and following the insurrection, as well as from the 
public opinion which existed in favour of the mission in and around 
the city. At the close of the year, it was observed that, though 
the chapels had been kept open, and the usual public services held 
without any interruption, yet many of the good and faithful people 
had been oppressed in their circumstances, by their employers, on 
account of their attachment to the missionaries ; but they were pre- 
pared to suffer the loss of all things rather than renounce their reli- 
gion. Many of the slave members were severely punished for 
attending the services, and others kept in constant fear lest their 
attendance should come to the knowledge of their owners. 

Strenuous efforts were made to allure or drive the slaves from 
attending to religion, which, to some extent, succeeded. One 
gentleman announced to the House of Assembly, with every expres- 
sion of pleasure, that " he was happy to inform the House that a 
great improvement had taken place in the morals and manners of 
the negroes in the parish he had the honour to represent, since the 
sectarians had been expelled therefrom. Before, they were always 
melancholy, and nothing but singing and prayer and religion would 
do for them ; but now, he was happy to say, they were returning to 
their old plays, dances, and other amusements, and were picking 
up all their old songs !" 

In January, 1833, the Annual District Meeting was held as 
usual in Kingston. The ordeal through which the mission had 
passed, and was still passing, produced a corresponding effect in the 
minds of the brethren, whose time was taken up with many painfui 
details of persecution, and the consideration of what was proper to 
be done, in order to avert approaching evils. The lawless and 
headlong course of the " Colonial Unionists " was daily bringing 
matters to a crisis. Their reckless proceedings produced a powerful 
excitement among the free black and coloured population, who iden- 
tified themselves with the cause of the persecuted missionaries, and, 
as many of these were not under the influence of religion, there was 
every prospect of a civil war ; in the event of which nothing could 
be looked for except the ruin of all parties and interests in the 
colony. 

While these things were agitating every mind, another blow was 
inflicted by the Imperial Government on those who denied its right, 
and defied its power to chastise their insolence and folly. On the 
25 th J anuary, there went forth to all the island authorities an explicit 
declaration of the Royal will respecting the "Colonial Church 
Unions," accompanied by a circular from the Governor. To omit a 
word of either document would be an injustice to the memory of 
King William IV., and the Earl of Mulgrave. 

" Circular. 

"King's House, 25th Jan. 1833. 

" Sir, — I am commanded by His Excellency the Governor to 



68 



KINGSTON, 



transmit to you, for promulgation within your parish, the enclosed 
proclamation of His Majesty in Council, against certain societies 
calling themselves Colonial Church Unions ; and, at the same time, 
to recal to your recollection that one of His Excellency's first acts, 
upon assuming the administration of the Government, was to for- 
ward to you the Attorney- General's opinion on this subject, and to 
impress upon you the propriety of cautioning all persons within 
your districts against entering into any association founded on what 
was thus declared to be illegal. All the circumstances connected 
with the origin and objects of these societies have been since 
reported to the King. His Majesty now, in this marked manner, 
expresses his displeasure on the subject. His Excellency therefore 
trusts that implicit obedience will be henceforth paid to the King's 
commands, and that no further attempts will be made illegally to 
molest the ministers of religion of any sect or persuasion, in that 
free and undisturbed exercise of their sacred calling which the con- 
stitution sanctions ; but should any person within your knowledge 
still persevere in acting in defiance of his Majesty's proclamation, you 
are expected immediately to report the same to His Excellency, as 
he will feel it to be his duty, should they hold any appointments, 
civil or military, under the Crown, forthwith to deprive them of the 
same, that all others, concerned in similar proceedings, may perceive 
that neither actual violence, nor a repetition of illegal threats, will be 
allowed to pass unpunished. 

u I have the honour to be, Sir, your most obedient humble servant, 
(Signed) "C. Yorke, Secretary." 

" By the King — A Proclamation. 
u William R. — "Whereas it hath been represented to us, that 
divers of our subjects, resident in our Island of Jamaica, hath asso- 
ciated themselves together into certain voluntary societies, under 
the name of Colonial Church Unions, or other similar designations, 
and that public meetings of such societies have been holden in dif- 
ferent parts of our said island ; on which occasion resolutions have 
been entered into for the forcible removal from our said island of 
divers teachers and ministers of religion, dissenting from the doc- 
trine or discipline of the Established Church of England and Ire- 
land : And whereas it hath been further represented to us, that 
the several resolutions aforesaid have been printed and dispersed 
throughout the said island, to the great disquiet and alarm, not only 
of such religious teachers as aforesaid, and of their several congre- 
gations, but of all other peaceable and well-disposed inhabitants of 
our said island : And whereas such proceedings as aforesaid are 
ontrary to law, and tend to the imminent danger ol the public 
peace in our said island. Now, therefore, we do hereby declare and 
make known to all whom it may concern, that we are purposed, and 
firmly resolved, in the exercise of our lawful authority, to maintain 



KINGSTON. 



69 



within our said island the principles of religious toleration, and to 
protect and defend all our subjects and others resident there, in the 
public worship of Almighty God, according to their own consciences, 
although such worship may not be conducted according to the doc- 
trines or discipline of the Church of England and Ireland aforesaid, 
so long as such persons shall conform and be obedient to the laws : 
And we do hereby admonish all persons resident within our said 
island, that if any attempts shall be made to carry into effect any 
such resolution as aforesaid, for the forcible removal from our said 
island of any such teachers and ministers as aforesaid ; or if any 
such society, or any other persons within our said island, shall 
republish any such illegal resolutions as aforesaid, that then, 
and in every such case, we will enforce against all persons 
presuming so to offend, all such pains and penalties as they 
may incur by such their offences. And we do hereby strictly 
warn and admonish our subjects, and all others resident within 
the said island, that they do abstain from associating them- 
selves with any society formed, or which may be formed, for 
any such illegal purpose as aforesaid, as they will answer the con- 
trary to us at their peril. And we do especially and strictly com- 
mand all judges, custodes, justices of the peace, and all our officers, 
civil and military, in our said island, and they do not only ab- 
stain from associating themselves with any such society as aforesaid, 
but that, according to their several charges and trusts, they do, to 
the utmost of their respective abilities, and according to their several 
trusts, give full effect to the law for the maintenance of toleration in 
matters of religion, and do co-operate in bringing to justice all per- 
sons who may offend in the premises. And we do further admonish 
all our faithful subjects in our said island, who may feel themselves 
aggrieved by such illegal proceedings, that they themselves do ab- 
stain from the adopting of any violent or illegal measures for obtain- 
ing redress in the premises, as they shall answer the same at their 
peril : it being our firm purpose and resolution to use the power in 
us vested by the law in such a manner as may ensure effectual pro- 
tection to all our subjects, within our said island, in the peaceable 
and orderly discharge of their several callings, and in the enjoyment 
of all the rights, privileges, and franchises, to them, or any of them, 
belonging. 

" Given at our Court, at St. James', this third day of December, 
one thousand eight hundred and thirty -two, and in the third 
year of our reign. 

".God save the King." 

No sooner did this important proclamation appear, than the organ 
of the free coloured and black people gave utterance to the joy it in- 
spired. The editor observed : — " The loyal and the good will read 
it with mingled feelings of joy and gratitude, — gratitude deep and 



70 



KINGSTON. 



lasting to the ministry who framed, and the monarch who consented 
to, such a document. The coloured inhabitants of Jamaica have 
now an important duty to perform — a duty which they owe, not 
only to themselves, but to posterity. The period has arrived when 
they must rally round the representative of majesty in the island, 
determined, to a man, to maintain the supremacy of their king, and 
enforce at the hazard of their lives all his lawful commands. 
Remembering that the eyes of Britain, of His Majesty's ministers, 
and the Executive are upon them, may we not venture boldly 
to assert that they will not be disappointed in their just expecta- 
tions." 

On the evening of the same memorable day, about two thousand 
congregated in Wesley Chapel, to listen to an official sermon from 
the chairman of the district, who took for his text Acts xi. 24 ; after 
which, twenty- seven missionaries, besides several of their wives, 
partook of the sacrament of the Lord's Supper. A sacred influence 
pervaded the vast assembly, whose right to worship God in peace 
had just been proclaimed by a tolerant Sovereign. The business of 
the meeting having terminated on the twenty-ninth, the brethren 
took an affectionate leave of each other, and departed to their re- 
spective spheres of labour, with feelings of loyalty, heightened by 
the assurance of being protected by Government in the prosecution 
of their work. 

The appearance of the circular and proclamation aroused the 
Colonial Church Unionists to put forth their whole strength, in 
order to avert their doom. Meetings were held in various parts of 
the island, at which resolutions were passed, urging all the magis- 
trates and vestrymen throughout the island to resist every applica- 
tion that should be made by sectarians for licenses to preach to the 
slaves, or for licensing places of worship, which, they observed, 
would only be licensing the strongholds of rebellion, and secret dens 
for extorting the gains of the deluded slaves — that special constables 
should attend meetings for the purpose of dispersing them, and that 
funds should be raised to sustain prosecutions, &c. 

They spared no expressions of hatred or contempt for the Gover- 
nor, and members of the Home Government, whom they represented 
as the adversaries of the colonists, and patrons of the hated sec- 
tarians. During this season of excitement, several of the missionaries 
were called to suffer the loss of health, liberty, and property — cases 
of imprisonments and confiscations occurred, which will be noticed in 
their proper places. 

However, writs for a new election of members of Assembly were 
issued, and several coloured gentlemen, and others of liberal prin- 
ciples, were chosen by the enlarged constituency to represent their 
interests in the Island Legislature, while the power of the persecut- 
ing faction declined from day to day. 

At the annual district meeting, held in January, 1834, the mis- 



KINGSTON. 



71 



sionaries found themselves in circumstances which called for warm 
expressions of gratitude to Him " who maketh the wrath of man to 
praise Him." Systematic persecution no longer kept the brethren 
from prosecuting their important labours. In the course of the year, 
the congregations in Kingston, as elsewhere, had been large and at- 
tentive. Several had been received into church communion. The 
conduct of members had been consistent, and several had died in 
the Lord ; while the political changes taking place opened prospects 
of the most cheering character. 

Sermons on behalf of the parent Missionary Society having been 
preached in all the city chapels on the Lord's day, a public missionary 
meeting was held in Wesley Chapel on the 27th. Long before the 
hour appointed for beginning, the pews were filled with those who 
anticipated a large attendance, and, ere the chair was taken, the 
crowd became so great, that large numbers were compelled to go 
away, being unable to get even near the doors. The speakers were 
powerfully influenced by the vastness of the missionary cause, the 
state of the world, the circumstances of the audience, the zeal they 
manifested, and the recent trials of the mission, which rendered it 
one of the most delightful assemblies of the kind ever witnessed in 
Kingston. 

With the storm which threatened the existence of the mission, 
the prejudices and passions which raised it were now happily passing 
away. The question of emancipation was now settled by the Im- 
perial Parliament, and twenty millions sterling awarded to the pro- 
prietors as compensation for the loss of their slaves ; while all parties 
were acknowledging that, however inimical the instructions of the 
missionaries might be to a system of slavery, they were the only 
means calculated to meet the moral and social state of society about 
to commence. 

Hence, instead of the brethren being annoyed by sounds of insult 
and threatening, they were beginning to have their principles tested 
by the more dangerous voice of flattery and applause. Governors, 
legislators, proprietors, and other influential persons, condescended 
to acknowledge that they had suffered without deserving it, and had 
therefore claims upon the respect and support of all who really 
wished well to the interests of the country. 

The brethren now felt the pressing necessity for additional mis- 
sionaries being immediately appointed to existing stations, and also 
to several localities now open to the gospel, in various parts of the 
island. Their entreaties were fully considered by the committee, 
and seven were added to the number already employed. 

The financial difficulties of the mission were generously and nobly 
met by the friends in the mother country, who, in addition to their 
regular contributions, gave above £6,000 to sustain and enlarge the 
missions among the West India Islands generally. 

The extraordinary mental and physical efforts of the Governor 



7-2 



KINGSTON. 



having seriously affected his health, he announced his intention of 
resigning the government, and returning to England. The intel- 
ligence produced a universal feeling of deep concern. With the ex- 
ception of a few incurably mistaken men, all felt that his removal 
would be a calamity to the island, at the important juncture when 
so extensive and radical a change was about to take place in the 
constitution of society. Even his revilers, as if suddenly convinced 
of his abilities and character as a ruler, altered their tone, and 
yielded to the feeling which vented itself in addresses, from every 
party in the island. 

Having fixed on the 14th of March for his departure, the mis- 
sionaries felt it to be their duty to present the following address : — 
" To His Excellency the Right Honourable Constantine Henry 
Earl of Mulgrave, Knight Grand Cross of the Royal 
Hanoverian Order, and one of His Majesty's Most 
Honourable Privy Council : Captain General and Gover- 
nor-in-Chief of His Majesty's Island of Jamaica, and the 
other Territories thereon depending in America, Chancel- 
lor, Vice-Admiral, &c. &c. &c. 
" May it please your Excellency, 

" We, the Wesleyan Methodist Missionaries of the Jamaica 
district, beg leave to approach your Excellency in behalf of ourselves, 
and our societies in this island, to express our sincere and universal 
regret that you have resigned the government of this important 
colony. We are especially sorry to know the cause of your Excel- 
lency's resignation, and contemplated departure from this colony, is 
personal indisposition. We beg leave to tender to your Excellency 
our grateful acknowledgment for the protection of our religious 
liberties which we have received and enjoyed under your Excellency's 
administration of this government. And we feel happy in avail- 
ing ourselves of this opportunity to acknowledge that your Excel- 
lency's administration has given the highest satisfaction to all 
classes of our societies, and has conferred upon them substantial and 
invaluable benefits. 

" Your Excellency entered upon this government at a time when 
it was involved in difficulties of no ordinary kind ; but we have 
been most happy to observe that your Excellency's talents, zeal, and 
unwearied exertions, under the blessing of Divine Providence, have 
carried you through them in such a manner as is, we are persuaded, 
highly creditable to your Excellency's exalted rank, pleasing to 
your Sovereign, and satisfactory to the British Government and 
nation. 

" With your Excellency's government of this island, we connect 
the re-establishment of law and justice, the suppression of anarchy, 
confusion, and unmerited persecution, the final settlement of the mo- 
mentous question of colonial slavery, and the commencement of a 
new era of religious toleration, which places His Majesty's subjects 



KINGSTON. 



73 



in Jamaica on the same high and commanding ground as their fel- 
low-subjects in Great Britain. 

" We cannot conceal from your Excellency our fears that your 
extraordinary exertions to accomplish objects of such magnitude, and 
to secure their permanency, have materially tended to induce that 
indisposition which we deeply lament, because it will deprive us of 
the almost incalculable advantages which we are confident would 
result from your Excellency's presence amongst us at this particu- 
lar crisis. 

" We assure your Excellency that you will leave Jamaica 
attended with our fervent prayers, and those of the thousands of our 
people, that your return to your native country may, under the 
divine blessing, promote the restoration and re-establishment of your 
health ; that Almighty God may be graciously pleased to prolong 
your life for valuable purposes to mankind in general, and to our 
own nation in particular ; and that every personal, domestic, and 
spiritual blessing may always attend the Earl and Countess of 
Mulgrave." 

To this address his Excellency returned the following answer : — 
" Gentlemen, — I most truly assure you of my gratitude for your 
feelings of regret at my departure, and for your expressions of espe- 
cial sorrow at its cause. 

" I will not attempt by repetition to weaken your enumeration of 
my services during my government ; but I should be insensible in- 
deed to your favourable construction of my conduct, if I did not state 
that that part of your address contains a comprehensive recapitulation 
of all the grounds upon which I should desire to be justly remem- 
bered. 

In conclusion, I most earnestly trust, that the new era of religious 
toleration to which you allude, may be such as shall enable you, 
as zealous and discreet servants of the Lord, to execute beneficially 
your high and sacred functions." 



i 



74 



CHAPTER VII. 

KINGSTON— (CONTINUED). 

Preparations for Emancipation — Gift books of the Bible Society— Celebration of 
Freedom— Eev. Valentine Ward and party arrive— Mortality among the Mis- 
sionaries — a Temperance Society formed — Prosperity — Educational efforts 
— Eev. T. H. Bewley appointed General Superintendent of Schools — Agita- 
tation of the Societies — Termination of the Apprenticeship system — Jubilee 
of the Mission — Marriage Act — New Coke Chapel opened— Great Fire — 
Special Mission of Mr. Young — Promising appearance of the Mission. 

As the day drew near on which 800,000 free subjects were to be 
added to the British Crown, the Committee of the parent Society- 
forwarded a circular to the missionaries recommending that the 1st 
of August should be devoted to special religious services, in which 
many of the friends of emancipation in the mother country would 
feel it to be their duty to unite, as it would afford a " fine opportu - 
nity to the missionaries for giving a holy and salutary direction to 
those feelings of joy which the glorious event of that day would na- 
turally excite in the minds of the negroes for leading them to a 
grateful acknowledgment of the Providence of God, whose hand had 
been so visible in the whole business, and for administering to them 
such instructions, cautions, and exhortations to an orderly, peace- 
able, and industrious deportment, as might help to render their 
release from slavery a permanent and substantial blessing to them- 
selves and to all connected with them." Special caution was given 
against " all unnecessary reference to past grievances and injuries*;" 
and to promote these feelings of amity and goodwill which our reli- 
gion strongly inculcates on its professors, this was accompanied 
by a resolution of the British and Foreign Bible Society, in which 
the Committee of that magnificent Christian institution expressed 
their joy at the prospect of so important an event ; and, in order to 
promote the spiritual freedom of the emancipated, " a copy of the 
New Testament, accompanied by the Book of Psalms, in a large 
type, and substantially bound, should be tendered to every person 
receiving the gift of freedom on the 1st of August who could read, 
or who, though not able to read, was the head of a family in which 
there were readers, or children learning to read, on such parties 
receiving a recommendation from a minister, teacher, or em- 
ployer." 

The next expression of sympathy with the mission was a special 
effort to provide about a thousand guineas to meet an overture of the 
British Government for an equal amount, in order to rebuild or 



KINGSTON. 



75 



repair the chapels destroyed by the Colonial Unionists, during their 
outrageous proceedings in 1832. It was recommended that a pub- 
lic collection should be made for this purpose in connection with the 
religious services of the 1st of August. It ought to be mentioned 
that the Wesleyan missionaries, in forming their estimate of the loss 
of mission property, calculated the very lowest value of the buildings 
as they stood before they were destroyed, whereas it was afterwards 
found, that, to re-erect them, a far larger amount was absolutely 
necessary, which eventually involved them in considerable financial 
difficulty. 

The only circumstance that may be mentioned in connection with 
the Kingston Society about this time, was the removal of an aged 
member, who, among others, died in hope of eternal life. Mr. Kerr 
observed — " Several of our members have lately died happy in 
God, among whom was a woman named Catherine Hammer. She 
arrived here in a slave-ship, just three days after the sinking of 
Port Royal in 1692 : she was then just seven years old. The cargo 
of slaves was landed on one of the estate wharfs, on this side of the 
water, there being no buildings where Kingston now stands, except 
a small church and a few wharf stores. The distressed families 
who escaped the calamity at Port Royal were living in tents in the 
bush, where the slaves were landed. It appears from old Ca- 
therine's tickets, that she joined the Methodist Society about the 
year 1810, at which time she must have been one hundred and 
twenty-five years of age. She continued to adorn her Christian 
profession for the space of twenty-four years, when, after having out- 
lived all her friends and thirteen children, she died in the faith of 
the Gospel, in the hundred and forty-ninth year of her age. She 
retained her faculties of hearing and sight to the last, and also, what 
is of greater importance, her interest in Christ, and her hope of 
eternal life by him." 

After every thing had been done that prudence could suggest to 
the Government, and all interested in the grand experiment of 
abolishing slavery, the wished-for day arrived, bringing with it a 
thousand visions of enjoyment to those who were about, for the first 
time, to breathe the air of liberty, and stand forth invested with all 
the rights and privileges of free British subjects ; while, on the other 
hand, many dreaded its approach as the period when massacre, confla- 
gration, and universal ruin would burst forth with irresistible fury 
and turn the lovely isles of the Western Sea into haunts of lawless 
savages. 

However the extensive influence of missionary instruction became 
apparent when the evening of the last day of their bondage arrived. 
Due preparations were made for celebrating the approaching day, 
not by indulgence in revelry and irrational mirth, but, as became 
the occasion, in devout acknowledgments of the goodness of Him, 
who was about to turn their captivity, and put it into their power to 



7G 



KINGSTON. 



worship Him under their own vine and fig-tree, none daring to 
make them afraid. 

Everywhere the slaves assembled in large numbers in their re- 
spective places of worship, and spent the last hour of their bondage, 
and first of their freedom, in prayer, praise, and listening to suitable 
instruction from the lips of their religious teachers. 

In Kingston, appropriate services were held. Long ere the morn- 
ing light broke upon the city, Parade Chapel rang with the songs and 
supplications of the newly- enfranchised worshippers and their friends, 
who rejoiced in the Lord, who had broken their bonds and set them 
free. At 11, a.m., they again repaired to the house of the Lord, to 
listen to a faithful discourse on Luke xii. 48 : " Unto whomsoever 
much is given, of him shall much be required," when their attention 
was directed to the many blessings bestowed upon them on this day, 
and their responsibility, both to God and man, for the proper use of 
them. And, ere the sun went down, they were again worshipping 
before the Lord, pouring out their grateful acknowledgments, and 
supplicating promised grace, to enable them to improve their mani- 
fold privileges. Never was a Sabbath more sacredly observed than 
was this memorable week-day : it was universally and fully conse- 
crated to Him who claims the first-fruits of all he bestows on his 
creatures. 

The following day being a Saturday, meetings for prayer took 
place, but, as might be expected, the attendance was small. How- 
ever, the day following, the several chapels were crowded with those 
whose attire and conduct told plainly their consciousness of having 
escaped the degradation, pains, and penalties of slavery ! It was 
the first Sabbath of a new era, a day to be remembered ; a complete 
cessation from everything secular universally prevailed, while every 
place of worship was thronged at each service : from the infant car- 
ried in arms, to the grey-headed sire, whose tottering frame was 
supported to the house of God by the muscular arm of sympathizing 
youth — all who could move, or be moved, appeared before the Lord. 
The change wrought wonders : it seemed to infuse new life and 
spirit, where heartless inactivity had frozen up the springs of physi- 
cal and mental action. Although it could not be regarded as a boon 
of full freedom to all, seeing that some years of compulsory service, 
under the name of apprenticeship, were still to be given by a large 
number ; yet the day of complete emancipation being fixed, beyond 
which no man could deprive them of freedom, all felt, spake, and 
acted, as if already invested with its blessings. 

Every obstacle to successful missionary effort, presented by slavery, 
being now removed, and the fields everywhere white unto the har- 
vest, the call for more labourers was answered hj the arrival, on the 
19th December, of the Revs. Valentine Ward, J. Edmondson, John 
Randerson, and R. Inglis, with the wives of the three latter. 

The circumstances and magnitude of the mission required the pre- 



KINGSTON. 



77 



sence and counsel of some minister of experience and standing, es- 
pecially as a spirit of disaffection began to manifest itself in the 
Kingston societies, through the injudicious and divisive conduct of one 
of the missionaries, whose age, office, family afflictions, and the kind- 
ness shown him by his brethren, ought to have kept him the steady 
friend of peace, order, and unity. The joy diffused by this increase 
of agency was considerably chastened by a fear of Mr. Ward being 
physically unfit to resist the influence of the climate of Jamaica ; the 
writer, in common with some others, anticipated the fatal termina- 
tion of his mission, which will be noticed, in connection with an ac- 
count of the place where he preached his last sermon, only a few 
months after his arrival. 

The annual district meeting, held in January, 1835, in old Parade 
Chapel, was one of much interest. During its sittings, Mr. Ward, 
as chairman and representative of the Conference, preached special 
sermons to the assembled missionaries on the Pastoral Office, which 
was characterized by clear, sound, practical Scripture sense, and de- 
livered in the bold, earnest, and affectionate warmth of spirit and 
manner, which ever distinguished his pulpit ministrations. How he 
and the brethren felt during the sittings of this meeting, may be 
gathered from a letter, addressed by him to the Rev. J. Beecham : — 
" I heartily thank God for his manifold goodness to me, and his 
ministers and people, both at home and in this colony, for their fer- 
vent prayers. To what else can I attribute my present good health, 
and the strength which enables me, with comparative ease, to go through 
the duties of my present laborious situation. And to what cause 
can I assign the almost universal respect and affection manifested to 
me, and the influence given me over my excellent brethren of this 
district. They, individually and collectively, desire me to express 
to the committee, through you, their unfeigned sorrow that anything 
should have taken place among them to give their brethren, whom 
they so highly respect, any uneasiness. And, at the same time, to 
assure you of their deep-rooted attachment to the blessed cause and 
plan of Methodism. Their abhorrence of all strife and division, and 
their unabated desire to do the work of evangelists, to make full 
proof of their ministry, and so take heed to themselves and their 
doctrine, as to save themselves and them that hear them." 

On returning from this meeting, the writer made the following 
entry in his journal : — " The whole of the affairs of the district 
meeting were brought to a happy conclusion. The differences which 
existed between some of the brethren were satisfactorily adjusted. 
Mr. Ward's conduct as chairman was at once highly^ creditable to 
himself, and of great advantage to the cause of religion. Soundness 
of judgment, strict impartiality, good temper, and a deep sense of 
the Divine presence, characterized the whole of his proceedings. So 
that, were he to return immediately to England, the good he has 
been the instrument of effecting will remain a monument to his 



7S 



KINGSTON. 



honour, and to the glory of Him who is pleased, by human agency, 
to establish his kingdom among men. 

As forty-five years had passed away since the mission was com- 
menced in Kingston, and the civil condition of people having just 
undergone a radical change, it may be mentioned that, at this annual 
meeting, it was found that the members in the Kingston circuit 
amounted to three thousand five hundred and fifty- seven, including 
those at Port Royal, while the total number throughout the island 
was thirteen thousand three hundred and sixty-five, under the pastoral 
care of twenty- two missionaries : a result calculated to encourage 
the hope, that the removal of many formidable obstacles would render 
the fields still more fruitful, provided an adequate agency were sea- 
sonably supplied to seize the favourable opportunity. 

Never had a year opened to the missionaries so bright with pro- 
mise of prosperity to the mission, yet never did any one year furnish 
so many humbling lessons on the frail tenure of human life. Ere 
the next annual meeting took place, six of the missionaries, besides 
several wives and children, were consigned to the tomb, and, among 
these, the man on whose judicious counsel and management so much 
seemed to depend. Besides these, another promising young mis- 
sionary, Henry Fell, was compelled to leave the island. Soon after 
commencing his missionary work, he caught a severe cold, which 
fixed on the lungs, and laid him aside. No prospect of recovery 
presenting itself, he returned to England, and soon sank into the 
grave, happy in the hope of eternal life, telling his sister not to make 
herself unhappy about him, for " all was well." Humbled under 
the chastisement of the Divine hand, the missionaries observed the 
24th of July as a day of fasting, humiliation, and prayer, that the 
Lord would be pleased to show compassion, and spare the lives of 
those who still remained to cany on the mission. 

The temperance movement, which had proved so beneficial to 
many in Great Britain and America, engaged the attention of several 
of the missionaries, who feared that a state of civil freedom would 
place many temptations to intemperance in the way of the labouring 
population, and so defeat their spiritual efforts. To anticipate such 
an evil, a few missionaries and clergymen united in the formation of 
a temperance association. Public meetings were held in Kingston, 
and in several places in the country, sermons were preached, and 
tracts distributed, with such success, that, at the close of the year, 
above five hundred members were enrolled ; and, it was remarked 
by many, that, within the range of this movement, the Christmas 
holidays passed over without the usual noise and revelry. Through- 
out the district of St. Thomas-in-the-Yale, only one instance of in- 
toxication was discovered. 

Tbe Kingston societies in 1836 gave great encouragement, while 
the congregations were larger than they ever had been. Wesley 
Chapel was well filled, and Parade and Ebenezer so crowded, that 



KINGSTON. 



79 



large numbers were unable to gain admission. The necessity of 
more chapel accommodation had been felt for some time, and strenuous 
efforts were made by the people to raise funds for the erection of a 
new chapel on the Parade, as the old one was not only far too small, 
but considered scarcely safe under the pressure of the dense crowds 
that attended it. In order to stimulate the friends to renewed exer- 
tion, the Rev. Messrs. Kerr, Atkins, Randerson, and Hodgson, then 
stationed in the circuit, resolved on laying the corner stone of a new 
chapel, though there was no immediate prospect of raising an amount 
to warrant a commencement of the building. Accordingly, on the 
29th of June, a sermon was preached in Wesley Chapel, and at 6, 
p.m., the stone was laid by James Taylor, Esq., one of the members 
of the House of Assembly, who also succeeded in obtaining a grant 
of £500 from the House towards the erection. At the eommence- 
of the ceremony, the platform on which those stood who were ap- 
pointed to address the multitude assembled, gave way, owing to its 
being overcrowded : the only effect to be regretted was the shock it 
gave to the excellent wife of Mr. Randerson, from which she never 
recovered. At this period, the number of members was 4,249, and, 
throughout the island, above 17,000, The increase on the returns 
of the previous year was 2,500. 

The altered views of the Island Legislature, with regard to the 
mission, appeared by the remarks made by the members who advo- 
cated the grant above mentioned. One said, — " When the House 
reflected on the advantage which had resulted to the island at large, 
from the zealous and efficient labours of the Wesleyan Missionaries 
— on the increasing influence of the Wesleyans, and at the change 
wrought in our peasantry by their exertions, he trusted that the 
House would at once exercise its usual liberality." Another re- 
marked — " In Kingston the good that had resulted from this parti- 
cular persuasion was astonishing." " The Wesleyans," said an- 
other, " have been of incalculable service to the country." These 
sentiments show clearly the powerful influence of social institutions 
in forming the public mind. During the existence of slavery, hon- 
ourable members of the Assembly were wont to regard and treat the 
missionaries as unprincipled men of sinister designs, whose presence 
in the island was its bane ! So that one is apt to conclude that the 
mental and moral emancipation of the free colonists was as striking 
as the liberation of the slaves from their civil bondage. 

The views of His Excellency the Governor, Sir Lionel Smith, 
were expressed in an address delivered by him on opening the As- 
sembly in November. He observed — " Gentlemen, we have hardly 
four years more to watch over the experiment of the apprenticeship ; 
give every facility you can to the missionaries' labours ; banish 
from your minds the idea that they are your enemies. I will an- 
swer with my head for their loyalty and fidelity. Encourage their 
peaceable settlement amongst your people. Let every four or five 



SO 



KINGSTON. 



contiguous estates combine for the erection of chapels and schools ; 
and, knowing as you well do, the attachment of the negro to the 
place of his birth, and the burial-place of his parents, you may, I 
sincerely believe, by these means, finally locate on your estates a 
contented peasantry." Well might it have been for the country 
had this advice been followed ; but its general neglect, accompanied 
by a fearful amount of legal oppression in various forms, ren- 
dered the apprenticeship system, in some respects, more dreaded 
by the nominally enfranchised peasantry than slavery itself, as 
some of the stipendiary magistrates shamefully abused the trust re- 
posed in them, and descended to the contemptible position of mere 
tools to those who could not refrain from indulging in a spirit of 
malignant disappointment, at the prospect of their slaves being 
placed on a civil equality with themselves. 

Among the means of benefitting the liberated slaves which 
engaged attention, was that of education — a boon which slavery 
denied them — as at once inimical to its spirit, and likely to hazard 
its very existence. To the Wesleyan Missionary Society, a Parlia- 
mentary grant of £5000 was made for the establishment of schools 
throughout the "West Indies, on condition that £2500 were added to 
it by the Society, and certain terms observed which were calculated 
rather to facilitate than retard the free prosecution of the mission. 
As to the character of these schools, the Committee were very par- 
ticular that they should be primarily and distinctively religious 
institutions. They observed — " Had it been determined that the 
schools should all be conducted strictly on such a system as would 
merely give the children an acquaintance with the Scriptures but 
would not allow that the schools should be commenced and close with 
singing and prayer, nor admit catechetical instruction, nor make any 
provision for the pastoral visitation of the schools by the ministers 
of the Gospel — all of which the Committee regard as indispensably 
necessary to make the schools so many nurseries of religion and 
morality," they could not have accepted the proffered aid of Parlia- 
ment. 

Wherever a school should be established, they made it imperative 
on the resident missionary to pay it due and regular pastoral atten- 
tion, as a part of his stated ministerial work. In a circular for- 
warded to the missionaries on the subject, the Committee observed — 
" In order to secure the efficiency of the schools, it has been re- 
solved to place them under the superintendence and direction of two 
or more competent and confidential persons, who shall be invested 
with full power to cany into effect the designs of the committee. 
The Rev. Thomas H. Bewley, who has been long accustomed to 
tuition, and the management of schools in Scotland and Ireland, is 
appointed General Superintendent of the Society's Schools in Ja- 
maica. His character, abilities, and experience, and the lively in- 
terest which he takes in the welfare of the rising generation, have 



KINGSTON. 



81 



marked him out as a very suitable person for this office, and he 
leaves his native land to enter upon his important duties, in the full 
confidence and affection of the Committee." 

Mr. Bewley left England, with his wife and family, on the 25th 
of November, and, after a tedious voyage, arrived in Kingston on 
the 2d of February, 1837. Seldom, if ever, had so interesting a 
family group landed in Jamaica. Each appeared in the full bloom 
of health ; but, alas ! this lovely circle was ere long broken by 
the ruthless hand of death, cutting off both parents, and leaving the 
orphans to the care of strangers in a strange land, as will be noticed 
in connection with the account of the Stewart's Town station, where 
the dust of the head of the family awaits the call of Him who is the 
resurrection and the life. 

The varied forms of external opposition which the mission had 
sustained from its commencement only tended to strike its roots 
deeper, and to throw its branches over a gradually widening 
area. It survived each assault only to flourish with increasing 
vigour. So long as the foe was without the church, life, peace, and 
power continued within ; but, along with the prospect of still greater 
prosperity, trials were at hand from within. For a period of nearly 
four years, one of the missionaries who held the responsible office 
of Chairman of the District, had shown a disaffected spirit, and so 
conducted himself as to shake the confidence of the Committee, and 
of his brethren, in his ability to discharge duties which called for 
great prudence, integrity, and firmness. The result was the appoint- 
ment of a successor, which so mortified him that, from that period, 
he pursued a systematic course of opposition to his brethren, which 
threatened to inflict serious evils on the Kingston mission especially, 
in which he had laboured for several years. To arrest a career of 
sowing discord, the Committee recalled him, that he might give an 
account of his conduct ; but, instead of obeying, he forwarded to the 
Committee in England a long list of charges against some of his 
brethren, along with certain objections to " Methodism," " Infant 
Baptism, and the Eternal Sonship of Christ." The brethren, on 
learning this, held a Special .District Meeting in Kingston, in June, 
1837, at which he refused to meet his injured brethren, or substan- 
tiate, mitigate, or reeal his accusations. The charges were gone 
into seriatim, at great length, and elicited such a state of mental 
and moral aberration, as cut off all hope of accommodation. The 
recusant having inflicted, as he thought, a severe blow on those 
whom he was pleased to denominate the " Conference Missionaries," 
withdrew from the mission, in order to escape expulsion, and imme- 
diately began to form a new church, which, he promised, would be 
a model of ecclesiastical polity and doctrinal purity. For sometime 
the pulpit, the platform, and the press were kept in active play to 
influence the public mind, keep up agitation, disorganize the socie- 
ties, and draw away the people from their old pastors, who had 

K 



82 



KINGSTON. 



sympathized with them during their days of bondage and persecu- 
tion ! For several months, large numbers continued to receive the 
oft and fully-refuted statements, to trust in the fair promises, and 
to approve of the plausible plans of this accuser of his brethren, who 
engaged that every poor member of his new church would be well 
provided for ; that the greatest freedom should be enjoyed by all, 
and that an educational system was to be adopted for training native 
youths for the ministry ! 

In the course of a few months, it was rumoured that about two 
thousand had left the old societies, in order to join the newly-formed 
one. Though the missionaries stationed in Kingston were placed 
in most delicate and painful circumstances, they acted with admir- 
able prudence, fortitude, and zeal ; and, as might be expected, the 
blessing of the Lord crowned their labours. No better picture of 
the state of the mission in Kingston, up to July, 1838, can be given 
than in the following extract of a letter forwarded to the Committee 
by the Rev. Messrs. Edmondson, Bleby, and Inglis, who were hon- 
oured with the difficult task of piloting the mission through this 
storm. They wrote — " We are happy in being able jointly to 
address you under circumstances favourable to ourselves, and which, 
we have no doubt, will be gratifying to you. The Lord continues 
to gladden our hearts, and to encourage us in our labours in this 
Circuit, by deligthful indications of His presence and blessing. 
From the beginning of the year, we have rejoiced in witnessing a 
decided enlargement of our public congregations, and weekly addi- 
tions to our societies, and in the hallowed influence which has gene- 
rally attended the ordinances of the sanctuary. We are happy to 
say, at the close of the second quarter, that this pleasing state of 
things still continues ; a delightful spirit of peace and harmony per- 
vades all our societies in this city ; all our services are well at- 
tended ; a holy unction accompanies the ministration of the word of 
life ; and in the goodly number brought into the fold of Christ, we 
have the best and strongest proofs that the Lord is with us. The 
interest which has been excited by the open-air preaching contiuues 
undiminished ; and every Sabbath, except when the weather is un- 
favourable, "we preach in the streets to thousands that Gospel which 
is able to make them wise unto salvation. We have also open-air 
preaching in different parts of the city, once or twice on other days 
of the week ; and the attention with which we are listened to, by 
many who never go to the house of God, is most pleasing. A con- 
siderable number of instances have come to our knowledge in which 
street-preaching has been blessed to the hearers, and led them to 
renounce the error of their ways. Our quarterly, schedules, shew 
that we have a net increase of members in this Circuit, during the last 
three months, of about two hundred, while forty have been received 
on trial. Glory be to God, who overrules the devices of the wicked 
for his own glory, and causes the wrath of man to praise him ! 



KINGSTON. 



83 



" Unwearied efforts are made to promote the unhallowed cause of 
agitation and strife ; but, thank God, without success. ■ Consulting 
the wishes of our faithful people, as well as our own inclinations, we 
maintain unbroken silence towards the opposing party, and do not 
even go out of our way to contradict the shameless falsehoods which 
they send forth to the world. The miserable success which they 
desire can only be promoted by agitation ; and we best defeat their 
object by pursuing the even tenor of our way, regarding them with 
perfect indifference, and giving ourselves to the great work to which 
we are pledged — the work of saving souls. And this, by the grace 
of God, we intend to do ; confiding in, and looking for, the blessing 
of Him whose we are, and whom we serve. 

" It may not, however, be amiss for us here to observe to you, that 
whatever statements respecting their success in Jamaica may be put 
forth by that party, they are to be received with extreme caution. 
Only last week an advertisement appeared in one of the island news- 
papers, stating that the members of our society in Kingston are 
going over to the association, as they call themselves, at an average of 
nearly twenty per week. The state of our schedule, as above men- 
tioned, will show you that, instead of this being the case, we have 
been receiving persons into the Society in nearly that proportion. 
We mention this only to show you to what they can stoop to sup- 
port their unworthy cause, and that you may know how to appre- 
ciate their statements, should any of them come under your obser- 
vation. 

" Last week we had a tea-meeting in the Parade Chapel, for the 
purpose of bringing the subject of education more fully before our 
people. Five hundred of our friends took tea together ; and, after- 
wards, others were admitted till the chapel was crowded, and great 
numbers had to go away who could not get in. Our friend Mr. 
Taylor took the chair, and several of the preachers addressed the 
meeting. A powerful interest was excited, and we believe the 
happy effects of this meeting will hereafter appear both in our Sab- 
bath and day-schools. 

" We are still kept back from commencing the new Parade 
Chapel, partly by the non-completion of the school-house, and partly 
by the architect, who has frequently disappointed us with the plan and 
specifications. He is pledged, however, to give them in next week ; 
but it will not be possible to commence the chapel till after the first 
of August, as things will probably be too unsettled for a little while 
to allow us to do anything effectual. 

" We are looking forward to the approaching first of August with 
much interest. The Island Legislature has passed the Act for the 
abolition of the apprenticeship on that day, and the Governor has 
issued a proclamation for all places of worship to be opened, and the 
day to be observed as a day of thanksgiving. On several properties 
the apprentices have already been made free, and are doing well, 



84 



KINGSTON. 



nor do we anticipate anything like confusion when all shall pass 
into unrestricted liberty. It will be a day long to be remembered, 
and we are making arrangements to celebrate it with services suit- 
able to the occasion, and which we hope to make interesting and 
profitable. It is a pleasing reflection to us that the body to which 
we belong has been, under Providence, largely instrumental in bring- 
ing about an event which will, we hope, be to this country the dawn 
of a new era of unexampled prosperity and true piety. May that 
body still be honoured by the Great Head of the Church, as a 
powerful instrument of good, till everything contrary to the spirit 
of the Gospel shall be destroyed, and the world shall be filled with 
the knowledge of the glory of God." 

All parties being fully convinced of the bad working of the appren- 
ticeship system, as a preparative to the enjoyment of full freedom. 
The determination of the Island Legislature to bring it to a close 
was hailed with pleasure by the majority of the inhabitants of the 
colony, who were heartily sick of the continual heart-burnings, agi- 
tations, and punishments, to which it gave rise. In Kingston, as in 
all parts of the island, appropriate services were held. On the even- 
ing of the 31st of July, a watch-night service was held in Parade 
and Wesley Chapels. The congregations were large, and the ser- 
vices deeply interesting. At Parade Chapel, Mr. Edmondson 
preached from Deut. vi. 12., and then proceeded to Wesley Chapel, 
and delivered a suitable address ; and Mr. Bleby, having preached 
in Wesley Chapel, from Leviticus xxv. 10., went to Parade Chapel 
and delivered an address. " The deep and hallowed feeling of joy 
which pervaded the congregations during these interesting services 
was not expressed in noisy and tumultuous acclamations, but in sup- 
pressed and fervent aspirations of praise to Almighty God, by 
whose unerring wisdom, and powerful arm, the great event had 
been brought to pass. On the 1st of August, services were again 
held, when the large congregation which attended were instructed 
in the best way of improving the blessing of civil liberty now fully 
conferred upon them, that by their spirit and conduct they might 
prove themselves worthy of the privileges conferred on them. In 
the afternoon, Messrs Edmondson and Bleby held a service in the 
open-air on the Parade ; on which occasion the congregation was 
the largest ever witnessed in the city, and was composed of all 
classes of the inhabitants. The conduct of the people was admirable 
throughout the day. Nothing unbecoming took place. There was 
no drunkenness, noise, disorder, or folly, but each conducted himself 
with such a sense of propriety as perhaps never had been witnessed 
on an occasion so likely to tempt people to irregularities. After the 
time allotted for sober festivity had passed away, the people pro- 
ceeded quietly to their respective employment, according to such 
agreements as they had made with their employers, without any 
dissatisfaction about wages, a question which agitated some in the 



KINGSTON. 



85 



country, through the injudicious interference of those who ought to 
have known better." 

The time for erecting the new chapel on the Parade had now ar- 
rived ; the venerable building, which had so long afforded accom- 
modation to numerous hearers of the glorious Gospel, and been the 
spiritual birth-place of many souls now before the throne of God, was to 
be taken down. Its very dust was dear to the people, who associated 
with it some of the sweetest reminiscences of hallowed hours which 
they had spent within its walls. The last service was held in it in 
October, 1838, on which occasion Messrs. Bleby, Chapman, Inglis, 
and Simmons officiated. The Sacrament of the Lord's Supper was 
administered to a crowded congregation, after the evening service, 
which kept them together till a late hour. The sacred ordinance 
was administered, in the first place, to the two surviving members 
of the first class, James Harriss and Sarah Wilkinson, and then to 
the whole society. It was a solemn season : the Master of assem- 
blies was in the midst of his people, who felt deeply the circumstance, 
that they should no more assemble in the place where the Lord had 
often poured his Spirit upon them, while listening to the glad tidings 
of salvation, and pouring out their supplications before Him. 

Notwithstanding the assaults made on the mission, it never pre- 
sented so encouraging an aspect as at the annual meeting of the 
district, in January, 1839. The reports from all the stations were 
most gratifying, and, particularly so, in Kingston, where the storm 
had been hushed into a great calm, and multitudes flocked to the 
religious services held both in the chapels and in the open air. Fifty 
years having passed away since Dr. Coke first landed in Kingston, 
the event was celebrated by a breakfast meeting being held in 
Wesley Chapel, where about a thousand of the friends met the mis- 
sionaries. After breakfast, the doors were thrown open, when the 
spacious building was immediately crowded by a respectable audience, 
who listened with deep and joyous interest to the addresses which were 
delivered. The interest was greatly heightened by the circumstance, 
that the friends of Methodism throughout the world were giving 
expression to their gratitude for the mercies and blessings so richly 
showered upon the Methodist Church, during the hundred years of 
its existence, in which the Jamaica Methodists took a lively interest, 
and contributed to the Centenary Fund above £600. The interior 
of the chapel was tastefully decorated with abundance of branches 
and young fruit of the cocoa nut tree, evergreens, flowers, mottoes, 
pictures, and names of eminent Methodist ministers, whose labours 
had been eminently owned of God, in promoting his glory in the 
world. As the Rev. E. Fraser was expected from England every 
hour, one of the resolutions was kept for him, but the vessel did not 
reach the harbour till the following Sabbath. ' While one of the 
missionaries was speaking, he alluded to the erection of the new 
chapel on the Parade, and proposed a subscription towards defraying 



86 



KINGSTON. 



part of the expense. The proposal was cheerfully entertained, and 
£400 forthwith promised, each missionary aiding a liberal people in 
the good work. 

The progress of the mission appeared from the pleasing fact an- 
nounced, that, in Kingston circuit alone, there were now four chapels, 
four missionaries, a general superintendent of schools, 3964 members, 
and 179 leaders, with a day school attached to Parade Chapel, hav- 
ing more than 100 children receiving instructions in reading, writing, 
arithmetic, grammar, geography, and sewing ; while, throughout 
the island, there were 17 circuits, 31 missionaries, 22,884 members, 
being an increase of 2723 during the past year, and 15 day schools, 
besides numerous Sabbath schools. 

The interest of the meeting was heightened by Sarah Wilkinson 
and James Harriss, the only two remaining members of the first 
class, formed at the commencement of the mission, in 1789, appear- 
ing on the platform. These venerable witnesses of the rise and pro- 
gress of the mission held on their way through every change and 
trial, and were now permitted to see its prosperity, and express 
their gratitude to God, before entering into their long-expected 
rest. 

One of the most important legislative measures affecting West 
India missions, was the passing of a Marriage Act in 1840. The 
licentiousness which universally pervaded West India society pre- 
vious to the spread of the Gospel, was a legitimate effect of slavery. 
A mistaken, corrupt, and niggardly policy led proprietors to dis- 
countenance marriage on the estates, as likely to affect their finan- 
cial interests, hence, attorneys, overseers, clerks, and book-keepers, 
were compelled to conform to " the custom of the country," with 
very few exceptions, and these only of recent date. As to the slaves, 
it was left for many years to the caprice of the planter, whether they 
should be allowed to marry or not. Hence, though none were ad- 
mitted to church membership till they were either married or had 
abandoned every illicit connexion, the marriages celebrated by the 
missionaries were generally regarded as valid, there being no law 
in existence to forbid them ; however, some questioned their legality, 
without being able to assign a reason. The termination of slavery 
rendered the clear settlement of this question of great importance, 
as it involved the character, relations, interests, and comfort, of mul- 
titudes of the people. The Government, urged by the religious 
friends of the negro, took this question into consideration, and the 
result was, the passing of "an Act to Legalize, Register, and Con- 
firm, Marriages by Dissenters, and other Ministers, not connected 
with the Established Church." A special committee, which had 
been appointed by the annual district meeting to watch the progress 
of this Act, met in Wesley Chapel, Kingston, on the 29th April, 
eighteen days after it passed the Legislature, and made immediate 
arrangements for securing its full benefits to all parties concerned. 



KINGSTON. 



87 



This important measure settled the minds of thousands, and placed 
the missionaries in a position to prosecute their labours with increased 
influence. 

While the missionaries were assembled in Kingston, at their 
annual meeting, in January, 1841, the new chapel on the Parade 
was completed, and opened for public worship, to the great joy of 
the people, who had been put to considerable inconvenience during 
its erection, from want of accommodation. The appearance of this 
place of worship, along with the Normal School-house adjoining, is 
imposing. From all parts of the great square, on the east side of 
which they stand, they arrest the eye of the spectator. The accom- 
panying sketch gives a fair representation of the external aspect. 
The interior of the chapel is light, chaste, moderately elegant, and 
capable of seating a large congregation. 

The reports presented to the meeting from every station in the 
island were of the most encouraging description. Seventeen hundred 
members had been added during the year, many new openings had 
presented themselves, and two thousand pounds additional contribu- 
tions had been given by the people. 

Mr. Armstrong having been appointed successor to Mr. Bewley, 
endeavoured to establish a training school for teachers in Kingston, 
besides local schools throughout the island, towards the support of 
which his Excellency the Governor became an annual subscriber of 
£100. However, the very success which followed the efforts of the 
brethren embarrassed them exceedingly : their labours became 
very great, health was sacrificed, and several fell victims to excessive 
toil, being unable to resist the calls for help which reached them 
from every quarter. At least twelve additional missionaries were 
immediately needed, and earnestly craved of the Committee ; but 
the state of the fund did not admit of a favourable answer ; hence, 
in the course of the year, Messrs. Greenwood, Redfern, and Lofthouse 
sank into the grave, leaving large flocks to mourn the loss of pastoral 
attention. 

At the close of the year 1842, with only four missionaries, King- 
ston societies consisted of 5149 members, 187 candidates, 4 Sabbath 
schools, 559 scholars, 2 day schools, 3 salaried teachers, 215 scholars. 
A mission having been begun in Port Royal Mountains, rendered 
the work overwhelming to the brethren ; and, though there was an 
additional missionary given the following year, the supply was still 
scanty for the circuit, there being, besides Kingston congregrations, to 
supply those also at Port Royal, Mount Fletcher, Providence, Union, 
Bethesda, and Red Hills. 

On the 26th August, 1843, the city of Kingston was threatened 
with utter destruction. About noon, a cry of fire was heard by the 
inhabitants residing at the south-east end, and, in a few minutes, 
James's foundry was enveloped in flames, which were carried by the 
sea breeze rapidly towards the saw-mills and timber-yard of Messrs. 



88 



KINGSTON. 



Da Costa & Maxwell. The devouring element next swept along the 
north side of Harbour Street, and on to Thames Street, consuming 
in its way a range of houses between them. The houses on both 
sides of Gold Street were speedily consumed. With irresistible 
power, the fire next took its course up Rum Lane, reducing every 
dwelling to smoking ruins. Meanwhile, burning shingles, and frag- 
ments of combustible matter, were driven by the wind over the city, 
setting on fire houses and buildings in various places. A house in 
Law's Street, formerly occupied by the Athenaeum Club, took fire, 
and became the nucleus of a new conflagration, even more disastrous 
than the original one. The flames seized the adjoining buildings, 
passed along George's Lane, up East Street, John's-land, and Duke 
Street, destroying every house in their way, and terminating their 
terrific career northward, at the Roman Catholic Chapel, near the 
Parade, which also fell a sacrifice. At the same time, the original 
fire continued its ravages, threatening destruction to Port Royal 
Street. About five in the evening, the land wind began to turn the 
flames back to the south, which brought destruction to many houses 
on the east side of Hanover Street, including the coach-building 
establishment of Mr. Wilcox. 

Under Providence, the lofty walls of Wesley Chapel, along with 
the well directed exertions of Mr. Edney and the people, saved it from 
the fate of the buildings around it. The roof was frequently on fire 
by burning fragments being carried up by the strong wind. While 
this was going on, a cry was heard, " Coke Chapel is on fire !" on 
which Mr. Edney hastened to the Parade, ascended the roof of the 
chapel, and succeeded, with the aid of many friends, in keeping off 
the flames, which blazed about it. A range of houses close to the 
east end of the chapel perished. The missionary's residence then 
took fire, but, after considerable efforts, the flames were subdued. 
Some buildings next to the school-house then began to blaze, and 
soon the school-house itself. To arrest the progress of the confla- 
gration, the vestry and out-buildings between the missionary dwell- 
ing and chapel were pulled down to the ground. 

Most efficient assistance was rendered by C. Lake, and James 
Taylor, Esqs., both members of the House of Assembly, in direct- 
ing the exertions of the people. While the fate of the chapel was 
doubtful, " many of the negro members of the church stood on the 
Parade, wringing their hands, and lifting their streaming eyes up to 
heaven, imploring the Hearer of Prayer to spare their beautiful 
temple." At Wesley Chapel, the new school-house, out-houses, and 
fences, were entirely destroyed. The damage sustained at both 
places was estimated at about £1000. 

The property which perished throughout the city in about sixteen 
hours was valued at nearly half-a-million sterling. By this 
calamity, multitudes were reduced to utter destitution, among whom 
were many of the members of the Methodist Society, And but for 



KINGSTON, 



89 



the heroic efforts of a party of the Royal Artillery, under the com - 
mand of Major Rowland, the officers and men of the 60th Rifles, the 
2d West India Regiment, and the officers and crews of Her Majesty's 
ships Albatross, Imaun, and Ringdove, the whole city must have 
perished. As the roofs of the houses, with few exceptions, instead 
of being slated, were covered with wooden shingles, while timber 
was the chief material of which most of the buildings were composed, 
and being kept perfectly dried by the sun, were easily set on fire, 
and quickly consumed. 

The Committee had long been impressed with the importance of 
sending a special deputation to the West Indies, in order to ascer- 
tain the state and resources of the several missions, with the view 
of adopting such alterations and improvements as might be found 
necessary to meet the altered state of society since the abolition of 
slavery. To carry out this design, the Rev. R. Young was selected, 
as he had laboured several years in the mission. He left England 
by the steam packet, on the 12th of December, and arrived in 
Jamaica on the 31st. His reception was highly gratifying. Many 
who remembered him gave expression to feelings which proved that 
they had not ceased to love him, though years had passed away 
since he had left them 

The signs of improvement, which everywhere met his eyes, in- 
spired him with gratifying feelings. The influence of the mission 
was strikingly apparent to his view, when he called to recollection 
the state of the people and the mission when he laboured in Kingston 
in 1822. At that period, throughout the island, there were six cir- 
cuits — ten missionaries — seven thousand members, and no schools. 
Now there were eighteen circuits — thirty-six missionaries and assis- 
tant missionaries — a general superintendent of schools — sixty-one 
chapels — fifty minor preaching stations — five catechists— thirty- nine 
day-school teachers— one hundred and fifty-four Saobath- school 
teachers — thirty-eight local preachers — twenty-six thousand seven 
hundred and seventy -two members— seven hundred and eighty- eight 
candidates for membership — three thousand seven hundred and 
twenty-five scholars ; w r ith an average of about forty-one thousand 
hearers, and an auxiliary missionary society, contributing nearly 
£1600 towards the general fund of the parent Society* 

In the course of the year four additional chapels had been built, 
and five were proposed to be erected, without any help from the 
Committee. Loans, advanced by the Committee in former years, in 
cases of emergency, were now to be repaid as early as possible. 
Special efforts were to be made in order to render the mission self- 
supporting ; and, in hope of succeeding to some extent, the brethren 
in the District Meeting voted the return of £1000 of the £2500 
granted by the Committee towards meeting the ordinary deficiencies. 

Kingston circuit, in 1843, included nine congregations, viz., 
Parade, or Coke Chapel, having two thousand three hundred and 

L 



90 



KINGSTON. 



thirty members, besides one hundred and ten candidates. Wesley 
Chapel, one thousand two hundred and sixty-four members, and 
eighty-three candidates. Ebenezer, four hundred and forty-six 
members, and fourteen candidates. Port Royal, one hundred and 
ninety-seven members, and eighteen candidates. Mount Fletcher. 
eight hundred and three members, and thirty candidates. Provi- 
dence, near the base of Port Royal Mountains, one hundred and forty- 
two members, and twenty-seven candidates. Union, forty-nine 
members and five candidates. Bethesda, about fifteen miles from 
Kingston, in the midst of a thick population, in a most destitute 
condition, fifty -two members, and five candidates ; and Redhills, an 
old station, formerly attached to Stoney Hill, two hundred and 
twenty-six members, and nine candidates — making a total of five 
thousand five hundred and nine members, and three hundred and 
one candidates. There were four Sabbath and three week-day 
schools ; the former attended by five hundred and sixteen scholars, 
and the latter by two hundred and forty-nine, with three salaried 
and sixty-two gratuitous teachers, under the pastoral care of five 
missionaries. Thus had the little flock become thousands ; and 
though the mission had been exposed to a succession of storms that 
frequently threatened its extinction, it flourished amidst the chil- 
ling blasts and shadows of slavery, the fires of persecution and 
internal agitation, and having outlived them all, spread its benign 
influence through many a happy home within its range, and 
lightened the path of multitudes in the way to glory, honour, im- 
mortality, and eternal life. 



91 



CHAPTER VIII. 

MONTEGO BAY. 

Situation and appearance of the town— Arrival of Dr. Coke and Mr. Werril — Mr. 
Fish — Conflagration — Maroon War — Mr. Fish leaves — Mr. Campbell driven 
away — Messrs. Shipman, Eatcliffe, Whitehouse, and Orton successively ap- 
pointed — A new chapel built by Mr. Duncan — The Insurrection — Mr. Mur- 
ray prosecuted— Conduct of Magistrates censured — Mr. Murray imprisoned — 
Persecution put down — Messrs. Wedlock and Corbett — Emancipation — Death 
of Mr. Valentine Ward — Advancement of the Mission under Messrs. Kerr, 
Edney, Mearns, and Fraser. 

The town of Montego Bay is situated near the mouth of Montego 
River, in the parish of St. James, in the county of Cornwall, on the 
north-west side of the island, and distant from Kingston about 120 
miles. It is well laid out ; many of the buildings and houses are 
of brick or stone, and the dwellings of the respectable inhabitants 
are characterized by regard to what may be termed West India ele- 
gance and comfort, having gardens or grass-plots attached, adorned 
with various characteristic trees, shrubs, and flowers, — while ver- 
andahs, piazzas, and other features of tropical architecture, render 
the houses as pleasant and cool as possible in this extremely warm 
neighbourhood. The bay being sheltered on the east and south by 
a semi-circular hill, the sea breeze by day, and the land wind by 
night, are alike kept from the greater portion of the town ; hence, on 
the bay, it is almost always extremely sultry. The anchorage for 
the shipping ranges from four to thirty-four fathoms water, with 
abundance of room for a large fleet. The entrance is not good, nor 
is it well defended by artillery, as the bay is very open and exposed. 
When the north-west wind blows it is not safe for ships. To ob- 
viate this, great efforts have been made to form a break- water to 
keep off the swell ; but, like many projects of a public character in 
Jamaica, nothing has been achieved besides burying an incredible 
quantity of large stones in the sea — which have been swept away by 
the violence of the waves — and the expenditure of vast sums of money 
and labour, which might have been saved, had a competent engineer 
been employed to plan and superintend it at first, Kingston is on 
the one side of the island, what Montego Bay is on theother — the great 
emporium of trade. The plantations not only skirt the shore, but 
extend inland for many miles. They are very numerous within 
the parish, and the slaves attached to them used to amount to about 
twenty-four thousand ; with above eighteen thousand stock, consist- 
ing of cattle, horses, mules, &c, for working the estates. 

From the missionary residence at Upton, the prospect of both 



92 



MONTEGO BAY. 



town and country is crowded with objects of interest. The buildings 
on the bay contrast beautifully with the foliage of the cocoa-nut, 
orange, star-apple, plantain, banana and other trees and shrubbery, 
with which they are mingled. The Church, the Baptist, Wesleyan, 
and Episcopal Chapels, the Presbyterian Church, along with nume- 
rous respectable houses, stores, and wharves, are the most prominent. 
The clear, blue water of the sea, bounded by the verdant shore, 
stretches far to the west, and dies away in the distant horizon, towards 
the Island of Cuba on the north. Along the shore, as far as the eye 
can reach, the hills, which terminate in the mountain chain that 
stretches from east to west along the centre of the island, are seen 
rising one above another, richly studded with clumps of bamboo, 
trumpet, broad-leaf, prickly-yellow, cocoa-nut, and majestic wild 
cotton trees, from whose far-extending branches innumerable 
wreaths of wild flowers, parasitic plants, and creeping vines are seen 
waving in the breeze, forming beautiful festoons, while strong withes 
reach the ground and take root, as if intended to aid this giant of 
the forest against the assaults of the hurricane. The cane fields, 
with the various buildings and negro huts of the estates, crowned 
by the mountain heights which form the back-ground, all conspire 
to render the scenery deeply interesting to the eye that can delight in 
gazing on the beauties of nature, so pleasantly, plentifully, and har- 
moniously mingled in this tropical landscape. 

On the 5th of January, 1791, just about two years after his first 
visit to the island, Dr. Coke landed here, along with Mr. Werrill, a 
young missionary. His own account is too interesting to be omit- 
ted : — " We were without a 'friend or single acquaintance in the 
place ; and, to those who are endued with the tenderest social feel- 
ings, this is no insignificant trial— though I do know, in the gene- 
ral, to the glory of the grace of God, that the Lord is a sufficient 
consolation in every climate and country. We had, however, a 
strong persuasion that there was work for us to do in this town. 
We walked about the streets looking and inquiring, but every door 
seemed to be closed against us. To preach in the open air is almost 
impracticable in this burning climate ; besides, the negroes, in gene- 
ral, are not able to attend- till the evening, when the heavy dews 
would render it in a high degree imprudent and dangerous to preach 
abroad." Though the Doctor had a letter of introduction to a gentle- 
man residing at the Bay, all it procured was a polite invitation to 
an elegant dinner. 

Every door being closed, they resolved on proceeding to Kingston, 
but as their boxes could not be got from the ship for about four 
days, they were compelled to wait. On the following day, the 
Doctor made known his desire of preaching, to a company with 
whom he was dining at an ordinary, provided he could get a place ; 
on which one suggested that the Assembly Room, which had for- 
merly been the church, would do. The proprietor generously gave 



MONTEGO BAY. 



93 



it, and lighted it at his own expense. The Doctor observes — " The 
first evening I had most of the gentry to hear me, who attended, 
invariably, during the remainder of my stay ; but hardly any of the 
coloured people were present. The man whom I sent round the 
town calling only on the whites ; but every evening afterwards the 
blacks attended, and their numbers increased beyond expectation. 
Each time the congregation, in general, heard with deep attention. 
A few rakes only twice clapped their hands, and cried out " encore" 
" encore" but were afterwards prevented by some gentlemen. The 
last evening I preached there, I had about five hundred hearers ; 
and after as faithful a sermon as I was able to give them, on the 
necessity of the new birth, I informed them that they would soon, 
I believed, be visited by another of our ministers, at which all 
seemed satisfied. Having thus, under the Divine blessing, opened 
a little door for the gospel in Montego Bay, I set off with my friend 
for Kingston, on the 10th January." 

Though the Doctor visited the island in 1792, he confined his at- 
tention to Kingston and Spanish Town; but, in March, 1793, he 
again arrived at Port Royal, when he found that Mr. Werrill had 
been carried off by a malignant fever. Mr. Fish, his successor, and 
a young man from America, set off to Montego Bay, along with the 
Doctor, " to improve the opening which Divine Providence had fa- 
voured him with two years before." But Mr. F. being seized with 
violent headache, was compelled to return to Kingston. After a 
toilsome journey on horseback, through some of the most picturesque 
and magnificent scenery of the island, the Doctor was again kindly 
received by Mr. Brown, the proprietor of the assembly-room, who 
again generously gave him the use of the room. 

A very considerable congregation assembled in the evening • but, 
while the Doctor was zealously enforcing the grand truths of the 
Gospel, a band of rakes, led on by a printer, put him to silence by 
loud clapping of hands, on which he returned to Mr. Brown's 
dwelling-house ; but, in the confusion, the young man who accom- 
panied the Doctor was left in the hands of the rioters, who were 
about to ill treat him, when a British officer drew his sword, and 
threatened to run it through the body of the first man who dared to 
touch him — all instantly made their escape. The next day, after 
attending church in the morning, the Doctor preached in the assembly- 
room in the evening, to a deeply attentive congregation, from 1 John 
v. 12 — " He that hath the Son hath life," — all was peace. 

On the following day, a gentleman, who professed great regard 
for the Doctor, endeavoured to dissuade him from preaching, as a 
plot was laid to do him serious injury. On which the intrepid mis- 
sionary replied : " That he was in the way of duty, and if his great 
Master was pleased to take him to Himself that evening, by the 
violence of wicked men, or any other way, he was perfectly satisfied, 
well knowing, that it was easy for Him to raise a far better instru- 



94 



MONTEGO BAY. 



merit than he was, for his gracious purposes ; and that, through the 
Divine assistance, he should endeavour to preach at the time ap- 
pointed." The evening came : the rioters were there, but silence 
was imposed by the presence and authoritative language of one of 
the magistrates. After this, the Doctor was treated with great respect 
by several gentlemen of the town ; but the happy influence of his 
preaching and conversation on several of the negroes, inspired him 
with far higher delight than any expression of mere politeness could 
do. With feelings of thankfulness to God, he took a last farewell 
of Montego Bay, and turned his face towards Kingston. 

Mr. Fish, being left alone on the island for about two years, had 
too much to engage all his time and strength, in and around King- 
ston, to admit of even paying a visit to Montego Bay ; but, on the 
arrival of another missionary, about the end of July, 1794, he im- 
mediately set off for the Bay. The magistrates consented to his 
preaching, the assembly-room was again obtained, and for several 
months he continued to address good congregations, including many 
of the principal inhabitants, who all behaved well. 

On the 6th of June, 1795, about 2 o'clock, p.m., a fire broke out 
in the centre of the town, and raged with great fury. In about five 
hours, a great portion of the town was utterly consumed, and, among 
the buildings destroyed, was the assembly-room, in which a ball had 
been held the evening preceding. This calamity reduced the inha- 
bitants to great distress. It was remarked that, though the flames 
frequently played near the houses of the members of the Methodist 
Society, not one of them was injured. The loss was estimated at 
£500,000. 

A calamity still greater followed this, which was the breaking out 
of the Maroon war, which filled the inhabitants with great alarm, as 
Montego Bay was near Maroon Town, the seat of the insurrection. 
Every mind became absorbed by the perilous state of affairs. The 
congregation dwindled away, and Mr. Fish found it expedient to return 
to Kingston, in August, 1797, especially as his colleague there was 
dangerously ill. He endeavoured to induce the free blacks and 
coloured members to accompany him, that they might enjoy religious 
means, but without effect. He therefore took an affectionate leave 
of them, and proceeded to Kingston. The arrival of three additional 
missionaries enabled Mr. Fish to send Mr. Campbell to their aid, in 
May, 1799 ; but, instead of being welcomed, he was treated with 
insult and opposition. He applied to the civil authorities, pleaded 
his letters of ordination, and his rights as a British subject ; but so 
fully had the tide turned against the Gospel, since the principal in- 
habitants treated Dr. Coke and his preaching with polite attention, 
that one of the persecutors cursed both Mr. Campbell and the King's 
laws in the presence of the magistrates ! The late judgments of fire 
and sword failed to humble or awaken the inhabitants, and now they 
drove away the missionary, and rejected the counsel of God against 
themselves. 



MONTEGO BAY. 



95 



In a letter, addressed to Dr. Coke by a private gentleman, dated 
23d September, 1806, the religious destitution of Montego Bay is 
thus mentioned : — " My Dear Sir, — We are really in a pitiable 
situation at Falmouth and Montego Bay. I hope you will take 
us into consideration, and do all in your power to send us a 
minister. One might supply both places for the present till another 
can be spared, as from Falmouth to Montego Bay is only a pleasant 
ride of twenty-two miles. Myself and family have resided at Fal- 
mouth nearly six years ; and I have not the smallest doubt that the 
Gospel would spread if we had a pious minister." Sickness, death, 
and manifold difficulties prevented a favourable answer being re- 
turned to this plaintive request for a missionary ; and nearly twenty 
years rolled away, ere one appeared to succeed Mr. Campbell, whom 
the inhabitants drove away. 

In 1818, Mr. Shipman, then stationed at Falmouth, received two 
letters, which made his way plain to re-commence the mission. The 
first was from a pious soldier, Serjeant Waugh, of the Royal Artil- 
lery, who observed : " There are not more than four or five of the 
old members in this place now surviving, whom I was enabled to 
lead for more than twelve months. But I firmly believe there are 
many souls still, who would be led in the way of salvation, were 
there labourers to clear away the old foundation, and to dissolve the 
leaven of the Pharisees." The second was from a Mr. J. Jones, a 
merchant, whose active measures showed his pious zeal and sincerity. 
He writes : a Under God's blessing, which we have begged upon our 
undertaking, we have purchased the old court-house in this town for 
a chapel, payable by subscription, for £400. We have also to beg 
you to put us in the way of getting a license for the place. We, 
whose names are subscribed, will be ready to meet your wishes in 
any way in which our weak endeavours may prove useful. As our 
list increases, we shall inform you of it, and hope to enjoy a portion 
of your labours in this place ; and trust, yea, we believe, the Lord 
will make a fruitful vineyard here. Many wish to hear the sound 
of the Gospel, and have expressed great pleasure at the prospect be- 
fore them. Earnestly entreating an interest in your prayers, we 
beg leave to subscribe ourselves affectionataly yours, &c." 
</ Towards the end of the following year, Mr. Shipman gave a pleas- 
ing account of the success of his labours at the Bay. He writes : 
" Thank God, we are going on in this town very well ; our congre- 
gations are good, and the Lord is adding to the number of our society 
We are, I think, every week encouraged by seeing or hearing of 
some enquiring the way to Zion ; and, from appearances, this will 
become a very important and desirable missionary station." Such 
was the desire of the people to hear the Word of God, that, for some 
time, Mr. S. held meetings, for reading, preaching, or prayer, almost 
every day. On the 5th of October, the first Love Feast was held, 
which proved a season of special blessing to the people, and awakened 



MONTEGO BAY. 



in Mr. S. feelings of lively gratitude to the God of all grace. In 
the country, as well as at the Bay, he felt encouraged in his labours, 
especially at Blue Hole estate, where the owner, the oldest magis- 
trate in the parish, manifested great kindness, and lent his influence 
in aid of his mission. 

On the removal of Mr. Shipman, in January, 1821, Mr. RatclifFe 
succeeded him, having just left St. Thomas-in-the-East, where he 
had suffered much from fever, and been deprived of his beloved wife 
by death. At the close of the year, he reviewed his labours with 
thankfulness to God. Many had joined the society, and, though 
most of the members were young, their attention to the means of 
grace, progress in knowledge, and consistency of deportment, gave 
him much comfort. He also succeeded in establishing a Sabbath- 
school, which was attended by seventy children. 

During the following year, the prospect continued to brighten ; 
those who formerly opposed, now favoured the mission ; many 
marriages took place among the coloured people ; the congregations 
increased, and many were soundly converted to God. Mr. R. re- 
marked : " I have often witnessed a more rapid work in other 
places, but a more regular and genuine increase of members, and of 
Scriptural experience, I never beheld." Still, the joy of this devoted 
missionary was chastened by the consideration, that there were about 
two hundred and fifty thousand souls, on the north and west sides of 
the island, living without God, and without religious instruction ! 
To meet the case of these, as far as possible, he took three estates 
under his pastoral care, in addition to his congregation at the Bay : 
these were Barrett Hall, Blue Hole, and Spring, containing about 
one thousand negroes. On this ground, he pathetically pleaded that 
a second missionary might be sent to his assistance, especially as 
Falmouth and St. Ann's presented favourable openings. 

On Mr. Whitehouse succeeding Mr. Ratcliffe, his testimony to 
the state of the mission, in April, 1825, was as follows : — " During 
the last ten years, I have known in England many pious people, but 
a people more eminently devoted to God, than a considerable part of 
this society, I have not known. Their steady perseverance and 
prayers have often lifted up my hands, and their zeal for God has 
stimulated me to increased exertions to promote his glory." At the 
close of the year, he rejoiced to see among the people a general 
hungering and thirsting after righteousness, consistent deportment, 
and the prospect of an abundant harvest of immortal souls being 
gathered into the garner of the Lord. 

To meet the mental wants of adults, an evening school was esta- 
blished. Several free persons of colour, who began ignorant of the 
alphabet, were seen, by the close of the year, using their hymn-books 
and Bibles during public worship. 

The labours of Mr. Crofts were crowned with similar success. On 
his removal from the circuit, in April, 1827, his successor, Mr. Orton, 



MONTEGO BAY. 



97 



was delighted to find the society in good order, and likely to prosper. 
Many of the members were " deeply-rooted in Divine things/' and 
brotherly love reigned amongst them. He observed : "It may be said 
of Montego Bay and neighbourhood, 'the field is white unto the har- 
vest.' There are doors opening on every hand, into which we can- 
not enter. There is abundance of work already prepared for two 
missionaries on this station alone. We are exceedingly grieved to 
turn a deaf ear to the cry of the solicitous !" About this time Mr. 
Orton also visited the Maroons of Accompong Town, in the moun- 
tains, thirty-six miles distant, and found them willing, not only to 
hear the Gospel, but to give a piece of land, and assistance in erect- 
ing a chapel ; but his other engagements left him little time or 
opportunity for beginning a mission among this singular and inte- 
resting, but much-neglected, people. This year, 210 members were 
added to the Society, and the congregations became so large as to 
render it desirable that a more suitable chapel should be built as 
early as convenient. 

The need of a chapel having been considered by the District 
Meeting, held in January, 1829, Mr. Duncan was authorized to 
carry out the object. On the 12th of March the foundation-stone 
was laid in the presence of a large assembly of the friends ; and on 
Easter Sunday, the 24th of March the year following, the building, 
being finished, was opened by Mr. Kerr. A sketch of this place of 
worship accompanies this account. The walls are of stone faced 
with brick ; it is 46 feet by 66 ; the interior accords with the out- 
side in plainness, but it is commodious, and may contain about 800 
persons, having a gallery at the end opposite the pulpit. Mr. Dun- 
can records the exemplary efforts and liberality of the members of 
the society on this occasion, and names Miss R. White, Miss Ann 
Yatman, along with Messrs Anderson and Appelton, as specially 
zealous and generous in giving and raising contributions, and for- 
warding the work in every possible way. 

As was anticipated, the new chapel tended greatly to forward the 
interests of the mission. In the town, the congregation continued to 
increase, while the stations in the country became still more pros- 
perous, till the storm of intestine war, at the end of 1831, burst forth 
with fury, threatening it with utter destruction. When the insur- 
rection began, the Society consisted of nearly eleven hundred mem- 
bers, two hundred and twenty of whom were free persons, and the 
rest slaves, located on the neighbouring estates, and exposed to all 
the evils and dangers of the rebellion — which broke out in the very 
midst of them, and involved great numbers of their fellow-bondsmen 
in guilt, sufferings, and death. For sometime, Mr. Murray, who 
had charge of the mission, was kept in deep anxiety, lest any of the 
Methodists should be sufferers. However, though many of the poor 
misguided slaves were slaughtered by the military, and one hundred 
and twenty publicly executed at the Bay, not one of his flock was 

M 



98 



MONTEGO BAY. 



found to have taken part in this unhappy method of shaking off the 
unrighteous yoke under which they groaned. The moral effects of 
martial law were very painful ; for a long season morality and reli- 
gion appeared to be trampled under foot. The chapel was occupied 
by the military as a guard-house, and every religious service, pub- 
lic and social, was suspended, none daring to assemble publicly in 
order to worship God. During this reign of terror, the free mem- 
bers behaved with great prudence, courage, and loyalty. Those 
who were called out to assist in putting down the insurrection main- 
tained their Christian character, amidst scenes of crime, carnage, 
and licentious indulgence; while those who were slaves, exerted 
themselves with equal zeal in exhibiting the influence of the religion 
they professed, when* assailed with every temptation to yield to the 
withering examples everywhere seen around them. 

As soon as the storm was over, and the restraints imposed by 
martial-law were removed, Mr. Murray opened the chapel, and re- 
resumed his regular ministerial work, though still subjected to many 
annoyances and threatenings of violence. The " Colonial Unionists" 
were kept from attempting the destruction of the chapel by the vigi- 
lance and courage of the free members of the Society, who armed 
themselves and watched by night to prevent attacks which were in- 
tended to be made on it. 

On the 28th of July, 1832, a general gathering of the Colonial 
Unionists took place in the Court-House at Falmouth, when the 
Montego Bay members were taunted with cowardice for suffering 
Mr. Murray still to preach. Stung with the remarks of their fel- 
low-conspirators, they determined to act with decision ; but afraid 
to attempt putting the missionary down by violence, they adopted a 
plan that seemed to indicate their respect for the laws. Accordingly, 
Mr. Murray was cited to appear instantly before the Court of 
Quarter Sessions, held in the Court-House at the Bay, on the 31st 
of July. On his arrival, he found about twenty magistrates, with 
John Coates, Esq., as President, seated on the bench, and evidently 
waiting for him, whose temper was indicated by the fact, that the 
presiding Justice, on sending the constable for Mr. Murray, directed 
him to say, 1 — " If he does not come immediately, we will send a bench 
warrant for him !" The charge preferred against Mr. M. was that 
neither he nor the chapel was licensed. From the records of the 
court, an extract was read to show that the old chapel had been 
registered by Mr. Shipman in 1819 ; but as that chapel had been 
taken down and another erected, without being licensed, the magis- 
trates had been set at defiance by the omission, and that they were 
determined to enforce respect for the laws. Mr. Coates then read 
a part of 1st William and Mary, remarking that, " by the latter 
clause, a place of worship must be licensed every year." 

Mr. Murray stated to the court that he was aware that the new 
chapel had not been licensed ; but that as the new chapel was built 



MONTEGO BAY. 



99 



011 the same site as the old one, and instead of it, it had not been 
considered necessary to license it — no such practice having obtained 
among them in such cases. However, if the court deemed it neces- 
sary, he now begged to present it for registration, at the same time 
handing up a form he had prepared. Several read it ; and on the 
President asking the other gentlemen on the bench if it were their 
pleasure that the chapel should be licensed? several exclaimed 
" No." Mr. Guthrie gave it as his opinion that " the chapel should 
be recorded," as Mr. Murray had conducted himself prudently and 
peaceably during the late disturbance, and that no charge whatever 
had been brought against the Wesleyans, and therefore he could see 
no objection to it." Another gentleman agreed with Mr. Guthrie, 
but all the rest resisted the application, no doubt under fear of their 
brethren of the " Union," who had taught them their duty towards 
missionaries, both by example and precept. Mr. Murray, in notic- 
ing the charge of his not being himself licensed, assured the court 
that he had been legally licensed before leaving England in 1822 ; 
that he had preached in several of the Windward Islands ; that on 
his arrival in Jamaica, in 1826, he had taken the required oaths in 
Spanish Town, and had acted ever since under the full conviction of 
having conformed to the law in all things, and that he was prepared 
even now to take the oaths required by law, if the court would allow 
him to do so. However, he was told that the court decided that he 
should not preach, on which he said that he had broken no law, and 
should feel himself bound to proceed as usual in his duties ; he was 
then warned that the penalties were heavy, that they would be 
enforced, and he would be held to bail ! 

With the determination to go on in the discharge of his duties, he 
left the court ; and, on the other hand, the magistrates resolved to 
arrest and throw him into prison, should he attempt to disobey their 
injunction. Mr. Murray's friends seeing that a breach of the peace 
was unavoidable, in the event of his preaching, as it was whispered 
a warrant was issued to apprehend him while in the pulpit, and he 
having made up his mind not to offer bail, he must therefore be 
taken to jail — an event his friends were resolved should not take 
place. They therefore advised him to yield for the present to the 
illegal mandate of the magistrates, as religion must suffer should a 
riot take place, and perhaps blood be shed. Mr. Murray, influenced 
by these considerations, gaye up his design of preaching • the 
chapel was shut up, and the usual service suspended. 

As the Sabbath following was the day fixed for the sacrament of 
the Lord's Supper being administered, a large number of the coun- 
try members came into the town, expecting to enjoy that hallowed 
ordinance, but they found the doors of their sanctuary closed aganist 
them. On this Mr. Murray writes — " You would have been deeply 
affected had you witnessed them flocking into the preacher's resi- 
dence, and enquiring, with deep anxiety, why there was no service. 



100 



MONTEGO BAY. 



When informed that the magistrates had forbidden it, some sighed, 
and others wept. Many had come for the first time this year ; but 
I could only sympathize with them, and give them private counsel 
to live to the Lord, and wait patiently until our services should be 
restored to us. Then they had to return (some many miles) without 
hearing the word of God, or partaking of the sacrament, I confess, 
I felt this to be a severe trial, and had to retire more than once to 
relieve my feelings." 

u You will be gratified to know that, under this persecution, our 
members maintain with meekness their Christian character. They 
feel the injustice and cruelty of this act of oppression, whereby they 
are deprived of the public worship of Almighty God, — of the com- 
fort of hearing his holy word, and of the enjoyment of their privi - 
leges as members of a Christian church. But they cannot forget 
that they are Britons, and have an undoubted right to the protec- 
tion of British laws. They feel that they are British Christians, 
and that they belong to the great family of Wesleyan Methodists, in 
which relationship, under God, they glory. They are the thankful 
fruits of missionary labour, but they are in distress — their sanctuary 
is closed — their minister silenced — their means of grace cut off. 
They have been taught, however, to ' bless them that curse — to do 
good to them that hate, and to pray for them which despitefully use 
and persecute them.' " 

While Mr. Murray and his injured people were thus suffering 
affliction, according to the will of God, with patience and meekness, 
there were others who took up the matter publicly, and denounced 
the flagrant abuse of magisterial power, in terms at once respectful 
to the magisterial office, and indignant at its prostitution to purposes 
of religious persecution, and factious opposition to the laws. On the 
6th of August, at Montego Bay, a public meeting of free perso?is, un- 
connected with either the Wesleyans or Baptists, was held, at which 
addresses were delivered, and resolutions adopted, expressive of re- 
gret at the agitated state of the colony, and abhorrence of the 
" Unions," which they pledged themselves to oppose in every possible 
way. The following were the resolutions : — 1st, That this meeting 
deeply deplore the present unsettled condition of the community, and 
feel anxious to avoid the dangerous results consequent on such a 
state of society : they are therefore compelled to express it as their 
opinion, that any body of men, congregating for the purpose of form- 
ing resolutions to circumscribe the liberties of a portion of the com- 
munity, on account of their religious tenets, is guilty of gross in- 
tolerance, and such intolerance becomes exceedingly tyranical and 
oppressive, when manifested by men holding His Majesty's commis- 
sion, civil and military. 2nd, That, as British subjects, they are 
determined to oppose the execution of the impolitic resolutions of the 
body, styled "the Colonial Church Union," or "the Colonial Union," 
and pledge themselves, " individually and collective^, to repel any 



MONTEGO BAY. 



101 



illegal attempt to control them in the exercise of their civil and re- 
ligious liberties, secured to them by the British Constitution." 3rd. 
That a congratulatory memorial be presented to the Right Honour- 
able Constantine Henry Earl of Mulgrave, in the most respectful 
manner, couched in terms of loyalty to our king and country, 
showing the danger in which a large portion of His Majesty's sub- 
jects are placed in this island, by the machinations of a society of 
men, assuming the designation of " Colonial Church Unions," and 
" Colonial Unions" having a tendency to deprive them of the means of 
existence and religious toleration, as expressed in certain resolutions 
which they have published, and which resolutions are founded on 
the disinclination, and, in many instances, the positive refusal of in- 
dividuals to identify themselves with these factions ; and that his 
Lordship be solicited to use such measures as are calculated to pre- 
vent anarchy and bloodshed, which may ensue on a continuance of 
misrule and oppression. 

And also that a committee be appointed to prepare the memorial, 
and correspond with the committees of other parishes upon the subject 
of these resolutions, and report progress to the general meeting, 
whenever it may be deemed expedient. 

A memorial founded on these resolutions was immediately pre- 
pared, and signed by one hundred and sixty-three persons within 
two days, and forwarded to the Governor, who, through his secre- 
tary, assured the memorialists that " the proceedings of any associa- 
tion of individuals, with reference to objects by which the peace or 
interests of the community might be affected, would ever engage his 
Excellency's attention and anxious observation," and that those only 
could expect to receive the support of the Government, who employed 
legal means for the furtherance of any purpose whatever. 

Mr. Murray laid the affair before the Governor, but, as it involved 
a point of law, his Excellency declined to interfere, and at the sug- 
gestion of the Attorney- General, he referred him for redress to the 
Grand Court, to be held in February, 1833. Meanwhile, to pre- 
serve the flock from suffering spiritual loss, from want of the usual 
public services, the classes were regularly met, leaders' meetings 
held, and the people diligently visited from house to house. How- 
ever, this attention was necessarily confined to such members as 
resided in the town ; those in the country were exposed to the 
machinations of their enemies, who failed not to make their malignant 
power felt by their helpless victims. The missionary not daring to 
visit them on the estates, he was compelled to commit them to Him 
who is the helper of the helpless. 

The Attorney- General not only advised the Governor as to the 
legal mode of obtaining redress by the persecuted missionaries, but 
also favoured the persecuting magistrates with an opinion that their 
treatment of them was constitutional ! — on the strength of which 
they proceeded to carry out the oppressive schemes of the " Colonial 



102 



MONTEGO BAY, 



Unionists." After nine months abstinence from the performance of 
his public duties, during which time the chapel continued shut up, 
Mr. Murray, encouraged by the Royal Proclamation, and the 
Governor's Circular against persecution and " Colonial Unions," 
opened the chapel, and resumed his public ministry. This apparent 
contempt of the will of the local magistracy, immediately subjected 
him to their displeasure. Accordingly, a warrant was issued for 
his apprehension, on the 25th of March. His account of it is as fol- 
lows : — " About two o'clock yesterday, two constables came to our 
house, one of them had a warrant for my apprehension, stating that 
I must go with him to the Court- House. On my arrival there, I was 
conducted to & private room, where were assembled twelve magistrates. 
I was then told that I stood charged on oath with preaching without 
a licence, and that I was to give security not to preach again, or be 
committed to prison. I was anxious to know how it was that I was 
to be adjudged by a secret tribunal, and by what law I was to be com- 
mitted to prison ; but I was told that I was not allowed to ask any 
questions, and that the magistrates had determined not to permit 
any conversation. I was then asked again if I would give security 
not to preach. I replied I could give no such security. They then 
directed the clerk of the peace to make out my commitment, which 
he accordingly did, during which all was profound silence. When 
it was made out, the question was again put, when I replied, I had 
already answered. The constable was then called, and he was di- 
rected to convey the body of Mr. Murray to gaol, the nearest way. I 
was then taken into another room, where I remained for about half-an- 
hour. When I was called in again, I found two Baptist missionaries 
(Messrs. Nichols and Abbot). Great precaution was then used — 
a posse of five constables conducted us from the Court-House to the 
gaol, through the streets, like felons. — I am having my cell lime- 
washed, as the stench was very bad last night and early this 
morning, indeed, it is too strong for the sea breeze in the day 
time." 

The editor of the " Watchman" took a deep interest in what was 
going on. On this new exhibition of the abuse of magisterial power, 
he observed : " The imprisonment of the Rev. Messrs. Murray, 
Nichols, and Abbott, in the gaol at Montego Bay, is the crowning- 
stone to the no longer tolerable system of persecution. The former 
of these gentlemen has been several years in this island, and, wher- 
ever stationed, has acquired the respect of all classes. He exercised 
his ministry in some of the Windward islands with great credit and 
usefulness, esteemed by the most influential inhabitants, and enjoy- 
ing the confidence of some of the Governors. Even at Montego Bay, 
where he has been stationed since 1830, and in the height of the 
rebellion, his character was untouched by the breath of slander, nor 
did suspicion for a moment rest upon him. It has been admitted by 
all that neither himself, nor any member of his congregation, had any 



MONTEGO BAY. 



103 



concern in the rebellion, and the "Cornwall Chronicle" gratuitously 
spoke in the highest terms of him. Notwithstanding all this, we 
find, by accounts from that place, that, for preaching to his very 
respectable congregation, composed chiefly of coloured persons, he, 
together with the Baptist missionaries, have been committed to pri- 
son. What the magistrates can urge in extenuation of this arbitrary 
act remains to be seen. That part of the public more immediately 
concerned with this transaction, have expressed their feelings on the 
occasion, nor will they longer submit to their rights being trampled 
under foot. They are British subjects, claiming every right and 
privilege granted and guaranteed by the constitution. Their feelings 
are outraged, the expression of them is now before the public, and 
their memorial before the Executive. We shall continue this sub- 
ject in our next, giving the names of the magistrates concerned m 
this affair, and the inquisitorial manner of their proceedings, which, 
we are sure, will rouse the feelings of every man, not rendered in- 
sensible by malice and prejudice." 

Lord Seaford and John Manderson, Esq., remonstrated against the 
imprisonment of the missionaries, but without effect. 

The day after their arrest, a meeting was held in the Wesleyan 
Chapel, when resolutions were passed, and a memorial prepared. 
The 3d resolution was " That the imprisonment of Messrs. Thomas 
Murray, Samuel Nichols, and Thomas F. Abbot, ministers of the 
Gospel, for refusing to give bail not to preach is a gross oppression, 
and appears to this meeting to be in direct opposition to the King's 
proclamation, and in defiance of the instructions of his Excellency 
the Governor, as contained in his circular accompanying that docu- 
ment." 

The appeal to the Governor, and an application to the Chief- 
Justice, brought a release after eight days' imprisonment, on con- 
dition of security being given that the prisoners would appear at the 
Cornwall Assizes. As soon as they were set at liberty, they 
resumed their public ministrations, to the great joy of the suffering 
people, and vexation of their persecutors. For some time constables 
attended at every service to annoy the people by their presence, and, 
if possible, deter them from coming to the chapel. However, this 
mode of frightening the timid worshippers soon lost its charm, and 
was given up as a powerless expedient. Persecutions were again 
attempted against Mr. Murray at the Court of Quarter Sessions, and 
also the Assize Court, but both failed, and all proceedings terminated, 
to the great mortification of those \rhose hopes and plans utterly 
failed. By the month of July the storm cleared away, giving pro- 
mise of better days. All the regular services, public and private, were 
fully re-establishd, and earnest prayers ascended to the throne of 
grace, that the Lord would graciously look down and revive his work. 
Special leaders' meetings were held, after the morning services, every 
second Sabbath. Severa 1 of the most pious and intelligent members 



104 



MOXTEGO BAY. 



from the country were called together, and urged to look after the 
slaves on the estates who formerly had been members, to ascertain 
their condition, inform them that persecution was put down, and ear- 
nestly encourage them to venture again to the house of God, as they 
had been accustomed before the insurrection began. All united in 
zealous efforts to restore the mission to the happy position it occupied 
when assailed by the withering blasts of anarchy and its attendant 
evils. Gradually the scattered flock was gathered; many rejoiced 
on being again privileged to enter the house of the Lord, and being 
enrolled among the members of the church. By the close of the 
year, one hundred and twenty were re-admitted, after full enquiry 
into their state, character, and conduct, during the long season of 
persecution through which they had just passed. Everything had 
been done to corrupt and induce them to give up their religion ; 
promises, threatenings, and false statements were incessantly plied, 
but most of them remained firm ; and now they rejoiced in the pros- 
pect of obtaining civil freedom, when, under their own vine and fig 
tree, they should be allowed to worship in quiet, none daring to make 
them afraid. 

At the end of the following year, it was reported that, through 
the Divine blessing, the scattered society had been again gathered, 
and was equal in number, if not also in piety, to what they were 
previous to the insurrection. The congregation became large, and 
the school prospered — not only were children learning to read the 
New Testament, and to repeat the Catechism, but adults, wearing 
spectacles, were essaying to learn. Of church members there were 
six hundred and fifteen, and scholars, two hundred and thirty-six, 
under the care of thirteen teachers. The labours of Messrs. Wed ■ 
lock and Corbett were greatly blessed to the people. The trials and 
sufferings they had endured prepared them to hail the memorable 
1st of August with feelings of great joy. On that exciting occasion, 
Mr. Wedlock wrote: " The 1st and 3d of this month were glorious 
and ever-memorable days in this place ; such congregations, such at- 
tention, such joyous and grateful feelings as were depicted in every 
countenance, I never before beheld. They were jubilee days indeed, 
and many on these days, through the mercy of God, obtained a two- 
fold freedom. Could the friends of freedom at home have seen the 
thousands of clean, well-dressed, and well-behaved negroes who 
poured into the town on the 1st instant, they would have heartily 
rejoiced. The places of worship here were crowded on the Friday 
and Sunday. Our commodious chapel was literally crammed, yea, 
almost to suffocation, and many stood in the yard, exposed to the 
rays of a scorching sun, so anxious were the newly-liberated people 
to express their thankfulness to God for the great deliverance he has 
wrought out for them. On Friday forenoon I preached from 1 Sam. 
xii. 22, afterwards I read and explained the Governor's excellent 
letter of advice, and then I announced the noble intention of the 



MONTEGO BAY. 



105 



Bible Society, when the happy and grateful smile which had fre- 
quently been witnessed during that service, again evinced itself in a 
very clear and distinct manner, and the congregation simultaneously 
gave praise unto God." 

Mr. Bleby, who had witnessed the confusion, cruelty, and law- 
less proceedings connected with the insurrection in 1832, arrived at 
Montego Bay in October, and was amazed at the happy change 
which had taken place. He observed : " At that time, our chapels 
were closed or demolished, our societies for the greater part were 
scattered, our congregations dispersed, and their ministers silenced. 
But now, we behold a very different state of things — we have peace 
in our borders, the congregations are large, our societies are every- 
where increasing, and our prospects are of the most encouraging 
description. On the first Sabbath after my arrival here (the 5th 
inst.), I preached thrice to congregations which surprised and de- 
lighted me, and gave the Lord's Supper to a goodly number of com- 
municants.' ' 

Interesting as the mission at Montego Bay had hitherto been, its 
interest became yet deeper by the circumstance, that here the 
highly-esteemed and lamented Valentine Ward finished his minis- 
terial work, and entered the grave. It was his design to visit all 
the stations in Jamaica, make a tour of all the other West India 
Islands, and then return to England, to be present at the Conference 
of 1836. 

On Monday, the 9th of March, 1835, the writer was in Kingston, 
and saw Mr. Ward for the last time. He enquired kindly after his 
wife, who had formerly been under his ministerial care in Scot- 
land. His last words were, " good-bye ; give my kind love to B , 

and tell her that, as soon as I return from this tour, I shall go to see 
her at Grateful Hill." In the morning, he sailed for Black River, 
and the next day was detained at Alligator Pond, which gave him 
an opportunity of making enquiry into the religious state of the in- 
habitants of that part of the island, which he found to be very 
deplorable. No minister of the Gospel had as yet visited them. On 
reaching Black River, on the 12th, he urged Mr. Simmons to visit 
them without delay, observing : " The poor people there most piti- 
fully supplicated help, saying, 4 Ah, Sir, your missionaries will go 
anywhere else, but they will not come near us to teach us the good 
word.' " On Friday, he was very cheerful, and spent the day 
writing letters to go by the packet, which was to sail next day. 
These were probably the last letters he ever wrote. The day fol- 
lowing, he accompanied Mr. Simmons to Mountain Side, and preached 
an excellent sermon to the negroes, from Rom. v. 1-5. And, on 
Sunday evening, he walked to the chapel, and conducted the whole 
service, preaching from Prov. ii. 10, 11, with great fervour and ef- 
fect. At the conclusion, several gentlemen waited on him, and gave 
him a cordial invitation to visit them at their own houses. 

N 



100 



MOM TEG 0 BAY. 



On Monday evening, he conducted family worship with great 
seriousness, kindly and affectionately addressing the servants. After 
reading the Word of God, singing, and earnest supplication for the 
outpouring of the Holy Spirit upon the people of Jamaica, and the 
friends of missions in Great Britain, he rose from his knees greatly 
fatigued, and passed a very restless night. On Tuesday morning, 
Mr. S. gave him medicine, and in the evening he felt able to preach. 
Anxious to proceed to Savannah-la- Mar, he rose very early on 
Wednesday morning, and left in company with Mr. Simmons, at 
half -past five o'clock. During the journey, he was in excellent 
spirits, and remarked that " the attack of sickness he had at Black 
River might prevent something worse." He spoke with much feel- 
ing and affection of the preachers at home, how much he loved them. 
He spake also of his family — of the new chapel he proposed to be 
built in Kingston — and of the educational institution he longed to 
see established in the island for the training of native teachers — of 
his coming out again to Jamaica, after his return home in 1836, if 
the Committee would send him — his willingness to end his days 
here — and also his intended journey through the West Indies, adding 
frequently, "if God be willing," and occasionally lifting up his 
heart in ejaculatory prayer for success. .... 

About 3 o'clock, p.m., they arrived at Savannah-la- Mar, and were 
received by Mr. Inglis. On the following evening, he preached 
earnestly to a large and deeply affected audience ; and on Friday 
the 20th, Mr. Inglis, and Mr. Hutchins, Baptist missionary, accom- 
panied him to Ramble, where Mr. Wedlock had been all day 
expecting him. The day following, along with Mr. W., he visited 
Argyle Pen, the station of Mr. Betts, of the Church Missionary So- 
ciety, who, with his wife, received them with great Christian kind- 
ness.! After visiting some gentlemen in the neigbourhood, and 
expressing his admiration of the scenery, he preached in the evening, 
from Matt. xi. 6. Next morning, he began his last earthly Sabbath, 
by attending- a serviee conducted by Mr. Wedlock, at six o'clock. 
After Mr. W. had read and expounded a portion of Scripture, Mr. 
Ward concluded with a very fervent and impressive prayer. Mr. 
Wedlock's account is touching. He writes : " I then proceeded to 
give tickets to our members, under the shade of some fine trees, as 
th.3 house in which we preach was occupied by several classes. On 
witnessing the order which prevailed, the earnestness and simplicity 
of^-the people who came forward to receive their tokens of Church 
membership, and the altogether Mission-like character of the scene, 
Mr. Ward was much affected, and burst into tears ; and on my going 
into the house to breakfast, he observed, ' 0 ! brother Wedlock, if I 
had a pencil, and could use it, I would have taken a sketch of you 
jutft now, and sent it home. 0, my soul is affected ! I feel thank- 
ful to God for what my eyes see!' After breakfast,I attended to 
the school children, catechised them, &c, and at ten, I read prayers ; 



XI ON TEG 0 BAY. 



m 



after which, Mr. Ward preached a powerful and very affecting ser- 
mon, from Pro v. ii. 10, 11. The people sat in breathless silence, 
interrupted only by the sighs of the contrite. I saw many eyes suf- 
fused with tears, and what the people heard from the lips of our 
venerable friend, this forenoon, they will not, I am persuaded, soon 
forget. After the service was closed, the members of the different 
classes retired to their various trees, and were there met, on behold- 
ing which, Mr. Ward was again affected, and expressed to me the 
joy he felt. 4 Indeed,' he observed, 'this has been one of the most 
interesting days of my life.' 'Through God/ he said, 'you mis- 
sionaries are doing a great work, and yet the heartless men on the 
other side of the water Would stop the supplies if they could ! But 
God will still carry on his work, and take care care of you, his ser- 
vants. And, I am convinced, our missionary fund, and, indeed, all 
our funds, will be as large, if not larger, than they have for years 
i§2®tip™0&di avsi&ix °io ^a'mims adt •sot bnjslai adi as bsdaiidxtfsa 

After the services at Ramble were over, Messrs. Ward and Wed- 
lock left for Montego Bay, where they arrived between five and six 
o'clock in the evening. The rain fell abundantly during the jour- 
ney, but Mr. Ward was well covered ; however, he was much 
fatigued ; took medicine, and retired early to bed, hoping to be better 
in the morning. In the morning he felt much disposed to sleep, 
having passed a restless night. During the day he slept much ; 
about four o'clock he rose, but appeared very feeble ; took a little 
wine and water ; lay down on the sofa, and was assisted to his 
lodgings, by Mr. Wedlock, in the evening. «■•■■■ ..id Lai am 

Next morning he was anxious to breakfast with Mr. Wedlock's 
family, but appeared very poorly ; could eat nothing; lay on 
the sofa; and, in about two hours, returned to his lodgings to get 
into bed, hoping to feel much more comfortable there. Mr W. 
begged him to allow a doctor to be called in, but he replied, " Oh, 
no, I shall feel better after the effect of the medicine has subsided." 
As Mr. Wedlock was about to write to Kingston, he said, " Desire 
brother Kerr to tell my son that I am very feeble, sickly, and 
feverish. But, also, let them know that the last Sabbath was one 
of the most interesting days of my life." After being assisted to 
his lodgings, he dozed a few hours, during which the fever increas- 
ed. Again Mr. W. urged the propriety of calling in a medical man. 
He consented; observing, " Perhaps it is well that you do so at 
once." On arriving, the doctor bled him largely, and sent ; some 
medicines, which Mr. Ward took with great punctuality. Next 
day Drs. Lawson and Spence declared that he was in great danger, 
there being a determination of blood to the head. About six iyvl., 
Messrs. Gorlett and Bird arrived from Falmouth with Mr* W. They 
were deeply distressed on witnessing the sufferings and danger of 
their venerable friend, All three engaged in earnest supplication 
with God in his behalf. Seeing Mrs. Wedlock standing near the 



108 



MONTEGO BAY, 



bed, he affectionately took hold of her hand, and wept. She said, 
" I am sorry to see you so ill, Mr. Ward." He shook his head, but 
made no reply. Between eight and nine o'clock he became quite 
delirious, frequently laying his hand upon his head and pressing it, 
and also resolutely refused to take any more medicine. A little 
after nine his medical attendants arrived, and were alarmed at the 
state of their patient. A blister was immediately applied between 
the shoulders, and cataplasms to the arms. One of the medical 
gentlemen kindly stayed through the night. As the missionaries 
and several of their friends gazed with the deepest anxiety and 
sorrow on the sufferer, the delirium became more distressing, till 
about half-past two on the morning of the 26th> it gave way to entire 
insensibility, which terminated in death at four o'clock. In the 
evening of the same day, his remains were buried in the church- 
yard, amidst expressions of deep sympathy and sorrow — not only of 
the missionaries and their families, and their people, but of the inha- 
bitants of the town at large. At the" funeral the pall was borne by 
the Hon. John Manderson, custos of the parish; 'A. F. Robinson, 
Esq., collector of his Majesty's Customs ; the Rev. J. Patterson, of 
the Scottish Missionary Society; the Rev. G. Robbins, Moravian 
missionary ; and the Rev. Messrs. Burchell and Dendy, of the Bap- 
MiMital^iQOigpifli Ifi'i9V3K ddb i9vo moorg bus, gsonbfia gniwoidJ ^baahi 
Thus terminated the life of one on whose ability, experience, and 
special mission, so much seemed to be suspended. This good minis- 
ter of Jesus Christ was taken away in the fifty-fifth year of his age, 
and thirty-fourth of his ministry. He was born at Madley, the 
village immortalized as the scene of the labours of the illustrious 
Fletcher. Throughout his career as a minister of the gospel, he 
displayed unwearied zeal and fortitude ; ever pursuing the path of 
duty, even under circumstances of extraordinary difficulty and trial. 
Those who best knew him, admit the following account to be just : 
— "His ministry was plain, perspicuous, instructive, forcible, affec- 
tionate, and fervent ; adapted to awaken the careless, interest the 
youngs comfort the mourners, and build up believers. In every 
circuit to which he was appointed, God blessed him, and made him 
a blessing. His acquaintance with the doctrines and discipline of 
Methodism was extensive and accurate ; his zeal in propagating them 
great ; and his courage in defending them was steady and uncompro- 
mising. His disposition was frank and unsuspecting ; his heart was 
sympathising and tender ; his mind, on the great subjects of the 
Christian ministry, was well informed ; his knowledge of mankind 
was deep. His manner in the pulpit was solemn; his language 
always proper ; the subjects of his discourses were well selected 
and various ; and his appeals to the consciences of his hearers were 
pointed and pressing. To the young his ministry was especially 
useful. He was constitutionally sanguine ; and in his endeavours to 
benefit others, he both expected and attempted great things. Some 



MONTE GO BAY. 109 

of his chapel building schemes have proved unsuccessful • but, while 
the prudence of several of his plans may be questioned, none who 
knew him can, for a moment, doubt the purity of his motives. As 
a friend, a husband, and a father, he was faithful and affectionate. 
To all the benevolent and religious institutions of our favoured 
land he was a liberal friend." badtts i&oibsm ml sum is jib 

So warmly did he interest himself in the great cause of foreign 
missions, that he preferred the West Indies to London as a field of 
usefulness; and when entreated not to expose his life by going to 
Jamaica, he replied, " I count not my life dear unto myself, so that 
I may finish my course with joy, and the ministry which I have 
received of the Lord Jesus." 

Though the delirium brought on by the fever prevented him 
giving a dying testimony, it is cheering to find that, only a few 
days before he died, he said to Mr. Simmons, while on their way to 
Savannah-la- Mar, " I have lived in all good conscience before God 
until this day. I have not known the hour when I have lost a sense 
of my acceptance with God ; and there is not a moment but I am 
ready to enter fearlessly into the presence of my Maker, to give an 
aceounrtlof myckfceftaAhipQjI sd$ \j$dioo& v/isnoiaaiM dshiooo edi 
Intelligence of this mournful event spread rapidly through the 
island, throwing sadness and gloom over the several mission families, 
who were fondly anticipating a promised visit of the deceased, whose 
office and character commanded an unusually large measure of res- 
pect and affection. This painful stroke was followed by others of a 
similar kind. Several of the missionaries, in a few months after- 
wards, were called to rest from their labours, by which thousands of 
the people, for a season, were left as sheep without shepherds. 

Thus were the hopes suspended on the successful accomplishment 
of the plans of the Committee suddenly cut off, just as they began 
to be realized— reminding us of the uncertainty of the result of 
even our most benevolent designs. His views of the Christian 
ministry were forcibly exhibited in the official sermons which he 
delivered to the missionaries while assembled in their annual dis- 
trict meeting. On, that occasion he grounded his remarks on 1st 
Cor. iii., 10th and following verses. Observing that all Christians, 
and ministers in particular, Avere raised up in order to advance the 
work of God. upon the earth— that the increase of the Church of 
Christ should be their great aim— that the materials of the building- 
should be of the right kind, and each member be put and kept in 
his proper place, as stones in a temple. On the caution to ministers, 
he denounced those who enter the ministry without a Divine call ; 
and urged ministers to take heed — to their Piety, that it be sound, 
deep, scriptural— to their Conduct, that it be characterised by 
sobriety, self-control, justice, mercy, truth, and piety — to their 
Spikit, that it be meek, humble, kind, loving, zealous — to their 
Motives, that they be pure in the sight of God — to their Depen- 



110 



MONTEGO BAY. 



dence, that it be not in self, or any creature, but upon the Lord of 
Hosts alone — to their Doctrine, that it be the pure truth of God, 
scriptural, essential, suitable — to the Delivery of it, to seek out 
acceptable words, pure, correct, forcible language — to Discipline, 
that it be strict, yet administered with kindness, aiming at produc- 
ing a right state of mind and heart in the offender. In addressing 
the People, he called on them to take heed of — weakening the hands 
of ministers, by a worldly, carnal, captious spirit. To help Minis- 
ters, by aiding in instructing the ignorant, reproving the guilty, 
presenting a consistent example, making a right use of influence, 
and a righteous distribution of property. On the reason for such 
conduct, he remarked, that their work would be tried. By trials in 
this present life — by a death bed — and at the day of judgment — 
when, should the work be burned — how great would be the loss, even 
though the soul be saved ; but if it should stand, how great the 
reward ! He concluded by a most searching application, reminding 
his hearers that there is a possibility of aiding in the erection of the 
building, and yet being no part of it, except as scaffolding and rub- 
bish, to be removed after the fabric is reared ! With great power 
he plied his questions : — Are you a true Christian ? — are you mak- 
ing yourself useful in the church of Christ ? — Oh ! meditate on the 
worth of the soul — the infinite love of God — the sufferings of Christ 
— the miseries of the wicked — the joys of salvation on earth, and 
eternally in heaven — the example of Paul, and all the illustrious 
servants of the Redeemer. Such are a few hints, jotted down by 
the writer, while listening, for the last time, to the voice of this 
faithful preacher of the gospel. His portly figure ; his ease and 
command of his subject, and power over his audience, rendered it an 
occasion of much profit to the crowded audiences who were privileged 
to hear him. 

After this melancholy event, the mission continued to advance, 
not only in extent, but also in the moral and spiritual improvement 
of the people. In a letter written by Mr Foster, towards the 
close of 1836, he remarks : — " The manner in which the people are 
spending this season of the year (the Christmas holidays), power- 
fully convinces us of the salutary influence of Christianity and civi- 
lization ; for, although in former years this was a time in which 
drinking, dancing, singing, beating the gumbay, and other riotous 
exercises prevailed, there is now so little of any of these follies to 
be witnessed in this part of the island, that it appears to be only like 
the expiring gasp of heathenish practices. On the evening of the 
24th (Dec), I held a prayer meeting at one of our country places, 
and was assured that they had never known a Christmas eve to 
have been spent there in so quiet and peaceable a manner ; not a 
sound of either riot or revel was heard in the neighbourhood. The 
meeting was held in the house of one of our members, who is a 
striking instance of God's sparing mercy and saving grace ; for, 



no atari roam I dO— tend' ) to doiudo ad* ai lutae 
fehd r J to E-guhsftu?, adi — bo 9 to a vol aifnniri adct — luo 
bflB t d;haa no aoii&rtse to gyor ad;t — bajfoiw adJ tc i 
iisohimlli ed$ lb? biie JimH. to alqmsza adi — navBs 
yd nv/oJb -botjor gturd wat b sis dairS ..•comoflbsH' a 



adi 'sb'i 
m& siq< 



adi to "gninava adi nO <8So's5o&'iq deinsdiBad to qaa^ sfirxiqxa * 
.aoofilq yiixiiroo iuo to ano iB sniiaera: layfriq b bled I ?.aa(I) di 
oi ava aBmiarrdO b nwoni lavaii had yadi tedi b^'urasB 3bt/ b 
b ion ; lannBor b sfdBaoBsq brtB isiup oa hi a*?adi .tnaqa naad av 
odT food-wod d%iz>rt adi ni Imad aew lava-r to .ton -raittis to bw 
s fti odw .giadmanr itio \o ano to aa/rod arfi rrj Mad saw ^niia« 
r 



MONTEGO BAY. 



Ill 



though once gay and dissolute, he is now truly converted, and ex- 
periences the abundance of 'joy and peace in believing.' Three 
of the members of his family have also joined the society, and they 
are doing something for the still further spread of the Gospel, by 
collecting for the missionary cause. I am happy to say, also, that 
our numbers are increasing. When the losses by deaths, removals, 
and expulsions have been made up, our net increase will be about 
two hundred, not including those on trial — for which we thank God, 
and take courage. ' Our missionary collections in this town have 
been doing well ; the amount brought in at our collector's meeting 
last evening, from their books, the produce of missionary boxes, and 
a donation of five pounds, was fifty pounds currency.' " 

This shows most satisfactorily that this mission was in a state of 
prosperity calculated to stimulate the missionaries to " labours more 
abundant." The resistance of the fascinating scenes of the Christ- 
mas holidays, which were wont to carry them to shameful excesses, 
their delight in the means of grace, growing knowledge, morality, 
and piety, and their liberality in supporting foreign missions, all 
showed that a most gratifying change had been produced on them, 
through the preaching of the Gospel ; and that, though a strict dis- 
cipline was observed by those who were over them in the Lord, their 
numbers increased. 

The labours of Messrs. Kerr, Edney, and Mearns, were owned by 
the Head of the Church. Mr. Edney succeeded in erecting a chapel 
at Maroon Town, which he named Mount Edmondson, and another 
at Sandy Bay, which is known as Beecham Chapel ; it is a neat T 
light, and comfortable building of wood, on a stone foundation — it 
presents a pleasing contrast to the hovel which used to shelter the 
congregation previously. The writer attended a missionary meeting 
here, and was delighted with the large attendance, deep interest, and 
liberality of the people in supporting the mission fund, in order to 
send the Gospel to the regions beyond. 

During 1841 and 1842, Mr. Edward Fraser was left alone in this 
circuit, on account of the inadequate number of missionaries in the 
island. A few of the neighbouring brethren gave what assistance 
they could. It was with great pleasure that the writer made a few 
visits to Montego Bay for this purpose : rarely, has he enjoyed such 
sweet Christian intercourse as with Mr. Fraser and his excellent 
wife, whose solicitude to render all around them happy, has endeared 
them to the hearts of a large circle of friends. 

In January, 1843, the Annual District Meeting was held at Mon- 
tego Bay, when the state of the mission was thus reported by Mr. 
Fraser: — "Our supply of missionary strength in this circuit was, 
at the beginning of the year, reduced below complement. The want 
has, however, been relieved by occasional visits from the brethren 
of the neighbouring stations, to whose pious and acceptable labours, 
we are thankful to say, God has put a gracious seal, in the strengthen- 



112 



MONTEGO BAY. 



ing and refreshing of the souls of the people attending their ministra- 
tions. It cheers us that, by the popular delusion of Myalism, rife in the 
country parts of the circuit, our rural members have been very little af- 
fected." This Myalism is a species of Obeah, a pernicious African 
superstition, which was introduced among the people at this time by a 
number of Africans who were rescued from a slaver by a British ship of 
war, and located as apprentices on some of the estates. " The society 
at Montego Bay is adorned with some steady and sincere Christians, 
who have long borne the hallowed cross, evincing thereby their 
attachment to, and dependence upon Him, whose badge is that cross. 
To these have been added, by conversion this year, a few, over 
whom we rejoice, as hopeful specimens of exemplary piety, and use- 
fulness to the Church of God. The members amounted to 593. At 
Beecham, the society is made up mainly of plantation people, who 
are evidently a superior sample of that class of the population of 
this island. Their attendance on the public means of grace, and 
willing liberality in support of their church and school, are gratify- 
ing. The place and people are altogether such as would encourage 
the principal attention and labour of a missionary. Number of 
members, 582. At Mount Edmondson, it is the day of small things ; 
nevertheless, the little band on these mountains give practical proof 
of a lively interest in the religion so lately set up among them. The 
height and distance of the place, the toil of the journey, and almost 
daily raining as you ascend, render this station difficult to be served 
by a non-resident. Yet we have, considering its infantine condition, 
paid more than its share of the ministerial attention at our disposal 
this year. The members amounted to 85. Total church members 
in the circuit, 1260; candidates, 8; 2 Sabbath- schools — 133 
scholars ; 3 day-schools — 280 scholars ; 3 paid teachers ; 18 gra- 
tuitous teachers." 

To several of the missionaries this station has many endearing 
associations ; and though the writer was only an occasional visitor, 
the remembrance of his visits is still sweet, and it will be long ere 
he can forget the kindness of the friends who used to greet him on 
those occasions, and especially their attention to the glad tidings of 
salvation which he preached to them. 



113 



CHAPTER IX. 

SPANISH TOWN. 

Description of Spanish Town— The mission commenced by Dr. Coke— Mr. White 
— Mr. Eatcliffe — Death of Mr. Adams — Mr. Binning — a Society formed at 
Old Harbour— Messrs. Crofts, Young, and Barry— a new Chapel erected in 
Spanish Town— Mr. Kerr— a Chapel built at Old Harbour— Persecution- 
Prosperity— Messrs. Edmondson and Harding— Mr. Chapman stationed in 
St. Thomas-in-the-Vale — a Chapel erected at Lintstead — Extent of the Cir- 
cuit. 

Looking west of Kingston from any convenient eminence in the 
city, the eye ranges over the vast plain of St. Catherine, bounded 
on the north and west by the mountains of Liguanea, St. Johns, 
and St. Dorothy, and intersected by numerous boundary-lines of 
sugar estates, and cattle pens or farms, richly adorned with the 
perennial foliage of orange, kenip, bread-nut, log-wood, cocoa-nut, 
and other trees and shrubs — all of which, however, yield the palm 
to the wild cotton-tree, some specimens of which, on the road 
between Kingston and Spanish Town, are of extraordinary dimen- 
sions. These arrest the attention of the traveller, excite his 
wonder, and invite him to turn aside from the fierce heat and 
glare of the sun, in order to enjoy a temporary shelter under their 
cool and ample shades, that he may gather a little strength to 
enable him to pursue his weary way along the burning plain. The 
action of the sun fills the air with a thin vapour, which slightly veils 
the landscape, and blends its varied hues into a soft beauty and 
harmony rather to be felt than described. Fed by several tribu- 
tary rivers and streams, originating in the mountains which enclose 
St. Thomas-in-the-Vale, the Rio Cobre winds its way through 
rocky beds and chasms in the mountains, and, after meandering 
through the plain in an easterly direction, reaches the sea at Hunt's 
Bay. On the banks of this river, and about twelve miles west of 
Kingston, stands the metropolis of the island, founded about the 
year 1520, by Diego, son of Columbus, the illustrious discoverer of 
the New World. Its original name, St, Jago de la Vega, was 
exchanged by its English captors for that of Spanish Town. 

Though far inferior to Kingston in point of population, business, 
and general interest, it is the seat of Government, and the perio- 
dical or occasional resort of those who may be termed the aristo- 
cracy of the island. The houses of the inhabitants are of a miscel- 
laneous character, ranging from mansions of the first class down to 
the most miserable sheds in which human beings may submit to 
take shelter ; and these frequently are to be seen side by side, 

o 



114 



SPANISH TOWN. 



forming the most grotesque contrast, and distinctly revealing to the 
beholder the taste or circumstances of the tenant. Here, it may be 
emphatically said, the rich and poor dwell together, yet maintaining 
the widest distance from each other in everything that is calculated to 
generate a spirit of equality or congeniality of views, feelings, 
tastes, circumstances, or sympathies. All regard to order, unifor- 
mity, or architectural rule, is utterly set at defiance in the erection 
of a large number of the dwellings. Each proprietor consults his 
own taste or whim, regardless of anything like plan in the formation 
of streets, lanes, or rows. 

The centre of architectural attraction is the square formed by the 
Government buildings. On the west side is the King's or Govern- 
ment House, erected at an expense of £50,000, and paid for by 
the contributions of the wealthier inhabitants and proprietors of the 
island, and regarded by many travellers as the most superb affair of 
the kind in the British colonies. This range contains not only the 
residence of the Governor, but also the Council Chamber, Court of 
Chancery, and a variety of subordinate offices. On the east side, 
directly opposite, the range consists of the House of Assembly, the 
Speaker's Chamber, the Court-House, and Jury-Room, and under- 
neath these, on the ground floor, are several offices for the Provost- 
Marshall, Registers of the Court of Chancery, and Clerks of the 
Crown and of the Courts of Law. In the erection of these thirty 
years was spent, as the money came only by instalments, which 
regulated the progress of the work. The north side is taken up 
with two sets of buildings, separated by a semi-circular colonnade, 
in the centre of which there is a handsome open temple, with a 
marble statue of Admiral Rodney, erected in commemoration of 
his famous victory over the French fleet, under the command of 
Count de Grasse, in 1782. It was executed by Bacon, and cost 
3,000 guineas, Nor was this the only public reward of his success- 
ful defence of the West India Islands ; the thanks of both Houses 
of Parliament were voted to him, his officers, and seamen. He was 
appointed Vice-Admiral of Great Britain, and also raised to the 
peerage, by the title of Baron Rodney of Stoke, in Somerset- 
shire. So popular did he become in Jamaica, that half of the 
horses, and a large number of negroes' donkeys and dogs, were 
honoured with his name, as if the English vocabulary afforded so 
few names for bipeds and quadrupeds that Rodney must serve for 
a host! At one end of this range is the Arsenal and Guard-House, 
and at the other the offices of the Island Secretary. On the south 
side there is a range of magnificent rooms for public amusements, 
parochial offices, and a savings' bank. The centre of the area is 
railed in, and laid out as a garden, intersected by gravel walks, with 
a variety of select trees, shrnbs, and flowers — all kept in excellent 
order, and accessible to the principal inhabitants of the town. The 
Cathedral is a noble building, and reminds one of similar religious 
edifices in the mother country. The interior is sombre, and well 



SPANISH TOWN. 



115 



supplied with sepulchral monuments of departed greatness, among 
which are the tombs of several governors, proprietors, and mer- 
chants. The Barracks, Baptist and Wesleyan Chapels, the Hospi- 
tal and Workhouse or Prison, are among the most prominent public 
buildings. Like Kingston, the streets are unpaved, irregular, and 
by no means kept in a state likely to gratify a stranger, or render 
his street walks pleasant. The population amounts to about 10,000 
of all classes and colours, many of whom live in the extreme of 
even Jamaica gaiety, frivolity, and sensual indulgence. 

In 1791, Dr. Coke having landed at Montego Bay, preached, 
and set out for Kingston, via the north side St. Ann's and St. 
Thomas-in-the-Vale. Passing through Spanish Town, he remarked, 
" On our arrival at Spanish Town, I found a strong desire to bear a 
testimony for Jesus Christ in this benighted place, and for that 
purpose made various applications for a room to preach in, but in 
vain, till at last a tavern-keeper told me that his long-room was at 
my service. It was now too late to send notice round the town, so 
I deferred ray attempt till another time." Thus we find that the 
Doctor regarded this as a benighted place, and in need of the light 
of pure Christianity, though it was the most civilized place in the 
island. 

In the following year he again visited Jamaica, landing at King- 
ston. He lost no time in going to Spanish Town, taking with him 
Mr. Brazier, who had arrived only a few days previously. He 
writes — "In the evening I appeared in the long-room of the tavern, 
according to the before-mentioned permission, having previously sent 
notice round the town. When I entered, I found it nearly filled 
by the young bucks and bloods (as we used to term the debauchees 
at Oxford), and not a single lady was present. Soon afterwards 
many of the coloured people of both sexes came, and filled the 
vacant places. During my sermon, the bucks behaved so rudely, 
that I observed, before I concluded, that, if any housekeeper would 
lend me a hall, I would preach again the next evening, otherwise I 
should probably be obliged to leave the place. ' Farewell, Sir/ said 
one ; ' Good luck to you, said another and thus they went on till 
I withdrew, when Mr. Brazier and I consulted together on the 
subject. We were fully persuaded, from the countenances and 
behaviour of the coloured people, that the Redeemer's kingdom 
might be enlarged by preaching the Gospel to them, and that we 
ought not by any means to give up the point. Before bed-time, 
two gentlemen came to me at my lodging, and offered me their 
halls to preach in ; but, alas! when I called on them next morning, 
they had been frightened by their friends, and both of them re- 
tracted their engagements. We were then determined to move on 
the true Gospel plan, ' from the least to the greatest.' Accord- 
ingly, we hired a poor cheap house (if it may be called by so lofty 
a name) in the outskirts of the town, of a mulatto, from month to 
month. Here I preached in the evening, to a considerable number 



116 



SPANISH TOWN. 



of people of colour ; and, notwithstanding the poverty of the place, 
some of the bucks attended, and were ruder, if possible, than the 
night before. During the height of the noise, I felt a spirit which I 
think I never felt before, at least in the same degree. I believe it 
was a spark of the proper spirit of martyrdom. At the conclusion, 
therefore, of a pointed address to the rioters, I told them I was 
willing, yea, desirous, if the kingdom of Jesus could be promoted 
thereby, to suffer martyrdom ; and my words seemed to have a 
considerable effect on their minds. I then published myself for the 
Thursday evening following ; and on the following morning, after 
giving directions about making some wooden candlesticks, to be 
placed against the wooden walls, we returned to Kingston." Ac- 
cording to his announcement, he returned to Spanish Town on 
Thursday evening, when he had a considerable number of coloured 
people, and some of the white rioters, whose conduct led him to 
address them pointedly at the close of the sermon, declaring it to be 
the intention of the missionaries to go forward, and to apply to the 
legal authorities for justice, if perseveringly insulted and abused ; 
and that if no justice was to be had in Jamaica, he was assured of 
obtaining it at home. Early next morning he preached to an 
attentive congregation of coloured people, and enlarged on the na- 
ture of Christian discipline ; and having bought some boards to be 
made into benches for the preaching-house, he left Mr. Werrill, but 
in returning to Kingston, his horse fell down with him on the road from 
sheer weakness ! The day before he embarked at Port Royal for 
England, Mr. Werrill came to take farewell of the Doctor, and 
brought the cheering tidings that he had, for three days successively, 
preached there to peaceable and attentive congregations of coloured 
people, and that he had begun to form a catechumen class among 
them. 

Thus was the foundation of the mission at Spanish Town laid in 
the midst of contempt and opposition : yet, however inauspicious 
in its beginning, it outlived every form of assault, and continued to 
prosper, through the Divine blessing, upon the faithful and prayer- 
ful labours of the missionaries who successively devoted themselves 
to its advancement. 

As the mission advanced, and the number of missionaries increased, 
Mr. Wiggins proposed a division of it into sections or circuits, ac- 
cording to the uumber of the principal societies in the island, which 
were the following : — Kingston, Spanish Town, Morant Bay, and 
Above Rocks. When this arrangement was made in 1816, Mr. 
White was appointed to Spanish Town. This missionary was born 
in London, but, when a child, he was taken by his pareuts to the 
United States, and from thence to Kingston in Jamaica, where he 
received a liberal education. In early life he became a partaker of 
the religion of the heart, and joined the Methodist Society. While 
yet a mere youth, he was entrusted with the charge of a class, and 
exercised his gifts as a local preacher ; and during the ten years' 



SPANISH TOWN. 



117 



persecution, through which the mission passed, and the chapel was 
shut up in Kingston, he maintained unshaken integrity and ardent 
zeal, continuing to preach the Gospel in country places, and to 
small assemblies in private houses. His judgment was clear and 
discriminating; his heart sincere, and his decision of character 
striking. In his life and conversation he exemplified the 
nature and reality of the religion he taught to others. He 
was thoroughly acquainted with Methodist doctrine and disci- 
pline, and maintained them mildly, firmly, and perseveringly, till 
the fatal day, when he, along with his wife, three children, a servant, 
and five of his missionary brethren, perished by the shipwreck of 
the Maria mail-boat, off Antigua, in the month of February, 1826. 
Of the society at Spanish Town, in 1816, he wrote: — " When I 
came to Spanish Town, I found the society only 65 in number, and 
the prospect in general far from encouraging. However, I have 
the pleasure to inform you, that we now have 78 members, 38 of 
whom profess to enjoy peace, and, I believe, nearly all are truly in 
earnest to work out their salvation. We think, if a convenient 
chapel could be procured about the centre of the town, that much 
good would result from it ; and there are persons who offer to 
contribute towards the expense, if we commence the undertaking." 

Mr. Ratcliffe succeeded him, and laboured with much diligence 
and success. The congregations were large, and deeply serious, 
and several respectable free persons of colour became members of 
the society. A valuable house was purchased, with suitable pre- 
mises, and so altered and fitted up, as to form a neat chapel, and a 
dwelling for the missionary. The zeal and liberality of the people 
in this undertaking, gave the missionaries great encouragement to 
pursue their important evangelical work among them. 

Mr. Ratcliffe, having laboured with great acceptance, was succeeded 
by Mr. Adams, who, after some delay, obtained a licence at the 
Court of Quarter Sessions. As some base young men of colour had 
been disturbing the public services, Mr. Ratcliffe asked the Bench 
how the evil could be remedied. The presiding magistrate ob- 
served : " All places of religious worship that are sanctioned by the 
law, as your chapel is, are under the protection of the law ; and, in 
case such grievances occur again, give charge to the town constables 
to commit them to prison." Mr. R. remarks on this : " It ought 
to be recorded, to the honour of the Governor, the Duke of Man- 
chester, and the magistrates of Spanish Town, that, since the com- 
mencement of our mission in that place, nothing like opposition has 
been manifested." It is pleasing to note this, as a set-off to the op- 
posite spirit and conduct of some magistrates in Kingston and else- 
where. On leaving this station, Mr. R. spoke of the people in the 
society, as " noted for their stability, and sound experience of 
Divine things." 

Mr. Adams, being now legally qualified to proclaim the Gospel, 
endeavoured to make full proof of his ministry, not only in the 



118 



SPANISH TOWN. 



town, but also in the country, though his applications for leave to 
preach to the slaves on the estates were by no means successful. 
To enable him to enlarge his sphere of usefulness, the friends pur- 
chased him a horse, by private subscription, as the funds of the 
society were inadequate to meet the expense. However, this de- 
voted missionary soon fell a victim to the fever. Only five days 
before he was seized, he wrote as follows : — " I am happy and 
thankful to say, that my health is good. I have not yet experienced 
any sickness. My wife has been very ill twice, but medical aid 
being procured, she recovered, and, I trust, her health is now esta- 
blished. We have had some increase in our society since I have 
been here, though not very considerable ; but the members in 
general seem thirsting after holiness, and, I have reason to believe, 
' God is with us.' Since I have been here, my mind has not been 
a little exercised ; but I hope in God, and feel that he supports me. 
1 hope to persevere in the work to which God has called me, with 
increasing diligence, and that my time and talents will all be de- 
voted unto Him, to whom my more than all is due." 

While he was penning these words, the angel of death was enter- 
ing many a house around him, and cutting off numbers, particularly 
of the white inhabitants. On the 12th of August, 1819, he was 
seized with malignant yellow fever. Medical assistance was promptly 
called in. On the fourth day, favourable symptoms appeared, which 
gave a gleam of hope, but the day following, delirium came on, 
during which he was sometimes engaged as though with his 
trembling hands, he was delivering the elements of the Lord's 
Supper, at other times attempting to sing hymns. At the early 
stage of his sickness, " he was serene and resigned : he uniformly 
walked with God, and the cheering light of His countenance beamed 
upon His servant, while treading the vale of affliction and death." 

Mr. Johnston, who, with his excellent wife, witnessed this death- 
bed scene, observed : " He said he had no hope of life, but felt his 
mind perfectly resigned to life or death, as God should think fit." 
This was on the 16th, and, on the 18th,, he remarked: " His head 
was so much infected with the malignant contagion, that his reason- 
ing powers were much interrupted ; but, so far as he had power to 
think and speak, he gave evidence to all his attendants that he pos- 
sessed the joyful hope of eternal life. He often spoke in a whisper, 
smiled, and pointed upward. At one time, he imagined himself in 
the act of dispensing the sacrament of the Lord's Supper, and men- 
tioned the body and blood of our Lord Jesus Christ with great 
fervour. He was often engaged in fervent attempts to pray, and, 
one time said, with peculiar emphasis, * Other foundation can no 
man lay, save that which is laid, the Lord Jesus Christ. Glory be 
to God ! I am built upon it.' About eight o'clock in the evening 
of the 18th, his happy spirit took its flight, His corpse was in- 
terred in the churchyard of Spanish Town, by Mr. Hamilton, the 
Rector, who refused the usual fees, out of respect for the deceased." 



SPANISH TOWN. 



119 



Not only was his death lamented by the members of the society, 
but was noticed in the " Royal Gazette " of Spanish Town, and in 
the " Kingston Chronicle," in terms rather unusual. After alluding 
to his early history, and his arrival in the island, his character and 
conduct was thus noticed : — ie The truly unaffected piety this gentle- 
man evinced during the short time he has been resident in this com- 
munity, and the diligent and successful discharge of his mission, 
have endeared his memory to an extensive circle, who will long re- 
gret the loss of so worthy and excellent a man. The liberty granted 
him by his honour the Custos, in April last, to preach and teach the 
Gospel, has never been more deservedly used by any ; and it can 
justly be said, that, were such characters allowed to dispense instruc- 
tion to the unenlightened throughout the island generally, that no 
alarm need be entertained that any improper doctrines would be 
disseminated among that class of persons. Indeed, he was formed 
in every view for the arduous duty of working that change in the 
minds of the slave population, so ardently desired by his Majesty's 
Ministers, as well as by the Legislature of this colony/' Mrs. 
Adams lay ill of fever at the same time, but was able to see her 
dying husband the day before he expired, bearing her calamity with 
that fortitude inspired by the hope of the Gospel, which brings life 
and immortality to light. 

On the removal of this promising missionary, Mr. Binning was 
called from Montego Bay to take his place. On his arrival in 
Spanish Town, he was kindly received by the Rector, and his honour 
the Custos ; and he found great encouragement from many of the 
members being much alive to God, and athirst for the fulness of the 
blessings of the Gospel. The effects of Mr. Adams' life, labours, 
and triumphant death, were visible in their spiritual state. Mr. B. 
observed : " Our congregations are good, respectable, and deeply 
attentive. I enjoy much comfort in dispensing to them the bread 
of life and find an increasing desire for their welfare. Yes, blessed 
be God ! my heart is enlarged towards them, and I am frequently 
constrained to cry — 

' Extend to these thy pardoning grace, 

To these he thy salvation shew'd, 
0, add them to thy chosen race ! 

0, sprinkle all their hearts with blood!' " 

He prosecuted his mission, with great comfort to himself, and 
profit to the people. Animated with love and zeal, the congrega- 
tions continued good, while the members of the church lived in peace, 
unity, and affection for each other, desiring to grow in grace, and 
to walk consistently with their profession before the world. He re- 
marked that, under the preaching, " that deep seriousness was 
apparent in almost every countenance ; tears and sighs often inti- 
mated that the word was attended with Divine unction." In the 
band meetings and love feasts, the experience of the people was 



120 



SPANISH TOWN. 



simple, spiritual, aud affecting. He writes : " When listening to 
the people relating their Christian experience, I often think, if our 
dear brethren and friends at home could but hear them for a few 
minutes, it would fan their missionary zeal into a flame." 

In 1821, Mr. B. found it necessary to alter and improve the in* 
terior of the chapel, in order to accommodate the gradually increas- 
ing congregations. The seats were cut narrower, and put closer 
together, and benches were placed wherever sufficient space could 
be found, in the aisles or corners of the building ; but still the room 
was far too small for the nnmbers that attended. At the end of the 
year, the members in the society amounted to 235, whose spiritual 
progress was gratifying ; their Christian experience was sound, deep, 
and Scriptural. The number of leaders was increased, and their 
piety and zeal contributed greatly to the prosperity of the mission. 

At Old Harbour, about twelve miles to the south-west of Spanish 
Town, Mr. B. succeeded in commencing a minor station. Of the 
place, people, and prospects, he thus writes : " It is only small of 
itself, but contiguous to many large estates, which render it a place 
of considerable hope. There is a great spirit of hearing excited 
among them, and several of them are very piously disposed. A 
young man, lately from England, has been a leading instrument in 
this infant work, and he is likely to be a great blessing to them. 
Hearing of such an opening, I embraced the first opportunity of 
paying them a visit, and had the pleasure to form a small class, out 
of a number who had been meeting together for some time. There 
is every encouragement that could be expected in such a place, and, 
if properly attended, it will no doubt become a flourishing and use- 
ful branch of the circuit." Of the general state of the society, at 
the time he left the circuit, at the end of 1822, in order to labour in 
St. Ann's, he remarked : " I am happy to say, things are in a state 
of considerable prosperity. The congregations for several weeks 
previous to my removal continued to increase greatly, so much so, 
that the place was again quite too strait for us, and the word 
preached, as multitudes could testify, was evidently attended with 
unusual power. It was truly animating to see such crowds flocking 
to the house of God, with the profound attention paid to the word 
of life, and especially to witness the happy effects produced. Dur- 
ing the quarter we had an addition of twenty-two members." Still, 
however cheering these statements were, the great mass of the in- 
habitants were without God, and without hope in the world. In the 
town, the regular attendants on the public worship of God, in all 
places of worship, did not exceed twelve or thirteen hundred, in- 
cluding the Established Church, Wesleyan, and Baptist Chapels. 
Thousands, especially of the slaves, were still unvisited by a Chris- 
tian instructor, and so left to the grossest superstition, sensuality, 
and spiritual misery. 

While Mr. Crofts laboured in the circuit, he established a Sunday- 
school, in the month of June, 1824, which soon numbered 105 boys, 



SPANISH TOWN. 



121 



62 girls, and 30 adults ; in addition to which, Mrs. Crofts had a 
class of female catechumens on a week-day, a few of whom were 
admitted into church communion, having given evidence of early 
piety and consistent conduct. The little flock at Old Harbour 
was doubled, and a new station was opened at Halse Hall, in the 
parish of Clarendon, at the special request of the proprietor, Mr. 
de la Beche, which will be noticed in the account of the Clarendon 
circuit. 

When Mr. Young was stationed here, in 1826, he was cheered 
by witnessing a revival of the work of God, which had begun to 
decline through the personal and family affliction of the missionary. 
Several new members were added to the Society in Spanish Town, 
and the infant cause at Old Harbour still afforded encourage- 
ment, though the poor people had no chapel nor any Sabbath assis- 
tance of the missionary. At Passage Fort, a small village about 
six miles east of Spanish Town, Mr. Y. preached once a-week, but 
he had little encouragement to proceed, as was the case also with 
Mr. Adams and Mr. Binning, who formerly visited its few benighted 
inhabitants, in hope of leading them to the Redeemer, but without 
success. 

The ministry of Mr. Barry, who followed Mr. Young, excited 
considerable notice in Spanish Town. His pulpit talent was of an 
order calculated to please as well as profit the more intelligent of the 
community. The congregations were doubled ; the people pressed 
into every corner of the chapel, and filled the piazza and lower hall. 
He observed, in April, 1828, — "I cannot avoid wishing that our 
people at home could witness the intense desire which prevails to 
hear the word of God. The impossibility of procuring seats, as 
well as the overpowering heat and crowding, prevent many from 
attempting to come to hear ; and you would be pleased to see some 
bringing little benches, with the expectation of being able to find 
sufficient room to sit, happy in being fortunate enough to secure a 
space of nine inches square to stand on. I have been frequently 
obliged to invite ladies into the pulpit, and request the men of the 
Society to give up their seats to strangers. The prospect at Old 
Harbour continued to give encouragement/' He remarked — " Seve- 
ral have joined us within the last few weeks. A lady there, a mem- 
ber of our Society, offers land for a chapel, and I intend to turn ray 
attention immediately to it ; indeed, a few pounds are already sub- 
scribed, and I think I could erect a chapel for £400 at the most." 

The inconvenience felt from want of a proper chapel in Spanish 
Town was removed by the opening of one in the month of November, 
measuring 45 feet by 60 within, having galleries on three sides. 
The walls are of brick, which sometime afterwards were rent by an 
earthquake, which threatened the demolition of the building. From 
the lithograph of this place of worship accompanying this account, it 
will be seen that it is neat, plain, and respectable in appearance. 
But for the complexion of the worshippers, and the oppressive heat 

p 



122 



SPANISH TOWN. 



of the atmosphere, the preacher is ready to imagine himself officiat- 
ing in a comfortable Methodist Chapel in England. While this 
building was in course of erection, the people showed great diligence 
and liberality in giving and soliciting contributions towards defray- 
ing the expense. Increased prosperity was the result of this effort 
to meet the circumstances of the congregation. At the end of the 
year the prospect was very encouraging, both in Spanish Town and 
at Old Harbour, where the little Society was stimulated to effort in 
order to raise the means of erecting a chapel, by the success of 
their brethren in Spanish Town. In the circuits there were 610 
members ; of whom 6 were whites ; 367 free coloured and blacks, 
and 237 slaves. 

In the following year, Mr. Kerr being the resident missionary, a 
new station was taken up in St. John's Mountains, and a small So- 
ciety formed. Ground was given for a chapel by a Mr. Huchison, and 
arrangements begun for proceeding with the erection. At Lime Sa- 
vannah, in Clarendon, a temporary chapei was fitted up by Mr. F. 
Muir, and a class formed, which became the nucleus of an exten- 
sive circuit. The increase of members for the year was above 100. 

In 1830 the chapel at Old Harbour was completed, through the 
exertions of the missionaries and the people on the spot. It mea- 
sures 28 feet by 42, and may seat between two and three hundred 
persons. It is boarded and painted, and looks well among the 
numerous cocoa-nut and mangoe trees with which it is encircled, 
and shaded from the intense heat of the mid-day sun. 

In common with all the stations in the island, those of Spanish 
Town circuit suffered from the insurrection in 1831-32, particularly 
in the country places. At Old Harbour attempts were made to de- 
stroy the mission. An unprincipled man laid information, before one 
of the magistrates, against Mr. Wilcox for preaching on the Lord's- 
day, and was soon afterwards called away by death, to give in his 
account to God. The attornies and overseers peremptorily forbade 
the slaves attending the chapel, which kept many away from dread 
of punishment. At Lime Savannah, violent measures were threat- 
ened, and the services put an end to for a long while. In St. John's 
Mountains the same spirit aud conduct prevailed, so that, for a 
season, the storm terrified and scattered many of the flock, and 
tested the faith and patience of the pastors. In Spanish Town the 
members stood nobly forward, and contributed to the utmost of 
their resources towards making up the deficiencies occasioned by 
the sufferings and privations of the country members. 

As the cloudy and dark day gradually passed away, the mission- 
aries entered with increasing zeal into their work. In the town 
great success attended their ministry ; and in Old Harbour, Claren- 
don, and Vere, towards the close of 1834, they were invited to enter 
more fully into open doors of extensive usefulness. In the prospect 
of terminating about three years' labour among this people, Mr. 
• Corlett wrote — " My ministerial path among this people has been 



123 



SPANISH TOWN. 



brighter and brighter. The first year, we had prosperity ; the 
second, more and more, and this year has been more abundant. 
Nearly six hundred have been added to the Society throughout the 
circuit. About forty or fifty pious and gifted persons have been 
raised up, who are found qualified to help, in subordinate offices, those 
who through grace have believed, and many young persons are 
growing up in the courts of the Lord's house, who will, I trust, in 
their day, be a seed to serve Him. We have been called, in some 
instances, to follow some of our best members to the house ap - 
pointed for all living ; but there was hope in their death, and they 
have left a testimony that they are gone to their Saviour." 

In 1836 Messrs. Edmondson and Harding continued to prosecute 
this mission with great zeal and success. In the month of August, 
a new station was opened at Redhills, about eight miles from Spanish 
Town, among a population of free settlers, who were entirely left 
without instruction, unless they chose to go to Spanish Town for 
it. The prospect of having the Gospel brought to them gave them 
much pleasure. Mr. Harding began preaching to them under the 
shade of the mangoe trees. Mr. Martin, a leader who settled there, 
began a class, built a shed in which to meet, and the local preachers 
from the town supplied them with preaching on the Sabbath morn- 
ings. Throughout the circuit, abundance of work presented itself, 
but the number of missionaries was altogether inadequate to under- 
take it. 

The late excellent J. J. Gurney held a service in the chapel in 
Spanish Town, on the evening of the 8th of April, 1840. The con- 
gregation was immense. Mr. Candler, another of the Society of 
Friends, addressed the people, from " Art thou in health, my 
brother," and Mr. Gurney expatiated on the spiritual manifestation 
of the Son of God : with great fervour and energy he urged the 
people to come to Christ. These peaceable men came to the West 
Indies to see, with their own eyes, the real civil, moral, and re- 
ligious state of the people, with the benevolent intention of doing 
justice and showing kindness to all parties interested in the great 
change taking place in the colonies, by the abolition of slavery. 
Mr. Gurney, in hiso" Winter in the West Indies," thus reveals his 
unsectarian policy : " We always endeavoured, during our residence 
in Jamaica, to hold the balance even between the Baptists and the 
Methodists, the chapels of both denominations being freely offered 
to us. In the afternoon, a meeting was held, in pursuance of public 
advertisement, in the Wesley Chapel (Kingston), a house of vast 
size. The congregation was very large and promiscuous, consist- 
ing of persons of all ranks, parties, and colours. Much had the 
colony been perplexed and agitated by the strife of all parties ; no 
wonder, therefore, that we felt it to be our duty to preach peace and 
charity, and to uphold the efficiency of evangelical and vitai religion, 
as the radical remedy for all abuses." 

Mr. Randerson, superintendent of the circuit at this time, was 



124 



SPANISH TOWN. 



delighted with the spirit and conduct of these good men. He re- 
marked : "I am persuaded, they will be made a blessing whereso- 
ever they go. They told us that they were highly gratified with 
the state of education and religion, as far as it had come under their 
observation, and that it far exceeded their expectations." 

The want of a sufficient number of missionaries, rendered it im- 
possible to give due attention to the town and country congrega- 
tions. As many of the members resided in St. Thomas-in-the-Vale, 
Mr. Paul, an aged local preacher from Spanish Town, visited them 
in 1833, and preached in the house of a Miss M'Catty. A grant of 
£60 having been made by the parent Committee, ground was pur- 
chased, and a temporary chapel erected in 1835. Mr. Chapman was 
stationed here in 1837, till which period one sermon on the Sabbath 
was the only service the people could have for a whole week. He 
established week-night preaching and prayer meetings, and a Sab- 
bath-school, which was attended by many adults, who showed great 
anxiety to be taught to read. With much that was cheering, he 
complained that there was an overflowing of ungodliness among the 
people generally : that they seemed totally unconcerned about God, 
and, even among some who had been called members of society, 
there was a want of the vital principle of Christianity, and much re- 
maining ignorance about Divine things. The house he occupied 
was at Russel Pen, contiguous to the chapel, and pleasantly 
situated. 

In June, 1838, Mr. Sargeant succeeded Mr. Chapman. By this 
time the chapel was in a state of great delapidation, he therefore 
exerted himself in raising funds for the erection of a new one. Mr. 
Randerson, his colleague, entered heartily into the work : contribu- 
tions came from all quarters and classes of the people. Messrs. 
Edbury and Lowndes gave a piece of ground, at the new township of 
Linstead, and a handsome subscription. The vestry of the parish 
voted £100, and the House of Assembly, £180 ; and operations 
were commenced, which were fully carried out by Messrs. Inglis 
and Whitehead, their successors in the circuit, the latter of whom 
was residing here when the writer paid his last visit to the station, 
in April, 1843. The chapel was completed in 1841 ; it is fifty feet 
by thirty, and cost £630. The members in the society amounted to 
313. The population around was increasing, and the prospect 
encouraging. As the chapel is embosomed among trees, it has 
a pleasing appearance, but, of course, cannot be seen at any 
distance. 

After several outposts had been cut off from the circuit at 
different periods, to form separate stations or circuits, it em- 
braced the following, at the time the writer left the island : — 
seven stations, five chapels, two missionaries, two assistant mis- 
sionaries, two local preachers, two day-school teachers, I960 
members, with about 3000 regular hearers, besides day and Sab- 
bath-school children. The work, to be regularly attended to, was 



SPANISH TOWN. 



125 



sufficient to occupy the full time and strength of double the number 
of missionaries, but the mission fund would not warrant the addition 
of more labourers. 

Under these circumstances, Mr. Whitehead wrote the Com- 
mittee thus : " Notwithstanding the difficult and discouraging 
circumstances in which we have for some time been placed, we are 
still, upon the whole, improving spiritually, numerically, and finan- 
cially. This is encouraging ; but the efforts which, under God, have 
led to these results, have proved exhausting both to the physical and 
mental energies of your missionaries : they are efforts which cannot 
long be made, without sacrifice of health, and, eventually, of life 
also. In this circuit particularly, our circumstances are peculiarly 
difficult : the number of places connected with it, their distance 
from one another, the importance of the societies, and various local 
circumstances, render the circuit one of the most necessitous of the 
whole district. At Linstead, we have every prospect of a large and 
flourishing cause. Our congregations are continually increasing, 
and the chapel is already insufficient for the accommodation of the 
people attending it. It is frequently crowded to overflowing, and 
we already think of enlarging it. Our people here are a willing 
people ; they have contributed according to their ability, and, in 
some cases, beyond their ability. I do not think there would be 
much difficulty in obtaining funds for its enlargement, as it is al- 
ready so far finished, without one farthing of debt ; but we are 
straitened to supply it. Permit me to speak boldly ; you must help 
us, you must send us another man. The seed sown must be watered 
regularly, continually, judiciously ; if not, it will perish ; and 
thus, where we reasonly expected, by the blessing of God, and your 
assistance, to reap an abundant harvest of immortal souls, we shall 
have but a scanty gathering. I do not think that an additional 
preacher to this circuit would be any extra expense to the general 
fund, further than his passage out. To work this circuit properly, 
there ought to be four missionaries — two in Spanish Town, one at 
Linstead, and one at St. John's Mountains. I once more beseech 
you to remember us, and that speedily." 



126 



CHAPTER X. 

MORANT BAY. 

Situation and appearance of the town — Commencement of the Mission — Messrs. 
Williams and Campbell persecuted and imprisoned — Mr. Bradnack placed in 
favourable circumstances, labours successfully, builds a chapel — Mr. Burgar 
prospers in his efforts and dies — Mr. Wiggins — Messrs. Home and Underhill 
—Mr. Eatcliffe — Mr. Hartley dies — Death of Mrs. Eatcliffe and children — 
Messrs. Johnstone and Duncan — Deaths of Messrs. Johnstone, Underhill, 
Parkin, Penman, and Barr — Messrs. Atkins and Whitehead labour with 
great success — Messrs. Rowden and Burrows — Account of Yallahs. 

Uncertain how long martial-law might continue in force, or when 
the missionaries might be placed in circumstances to hold their 
Annual District Meeting in Kingston, it was concluded that the 
writer should proceed to Bath, which had just been deprived of a 
resident missionary by the removal of Mr. Crookes. Accordingly, 
on the morning of February 3, 1832, we were up by half-past two 
o'clock, and busily occupied in adjusting ourselves and travelling 
gear, in order to get as far on our way as possible ere sunrise. Mr. 
Corlett took the lead to pilot us along the dark highway. The sky 
was spangled with myriads of stars, whose magnitude appeared 
enlarged, and their lustre heightened by the clear and cloudless 
atmosphere, which was gently agitated by a cooling breeze from the 
mountains. As we drove along the sea-shore, the silence of the 
morning was occasionally disturbed by the waves as they broke 
upon the beach, giving forth sounds grateful to the soul susceptible 
of being touched by the voice of nature, whispering the presence 
and power of Him who sits above the water floods. As we passed 
those parts of the road skirted by trees, we were sometimes almost 
bewildered by myriads of fire-flies, whose scintillations resembled 
the sparks of artificial fire-works, only their erratic and wayward 
movements showed that they were actual creatures, full of life and 
energy, performing their evolutions from an exuberance of con- 
scious insect enjoyment. 

On reaching Rock Fort we were challenged by the sentry posted 
at the archway, and our passport demanded ; by help of a lantern, 
its authenticity being acknowledged by the officer of the guard, he 
gave orders to open the gate, and allow us to proceed. The silence 
and darkness around contrasted strikingly with the gleaming of 
bayonets and warlike aspect of the soldiers as the dim light fell upon 
them. Before daybreak, we were making our way through the 
Four Mile Wood, which was still very dark, from the thick foliage 
of the trees. This used to be the favourite hiding place of a famous 



MORAKT BAY. 



127 



robber, whose daring exploits spread dismay among travellers, and 
the inhabitants around, who were exposed to his depredations. His 
name was Bristol, or Three- fingered Jack : he had several associates 
in crime. A prize being set upon his head, his retreat was traced 
out by one John Reader, a Maroon, and a party who volunteered 
to accompany him. Jack defended himself with all the desperation 
of a perishing man. After receiving three balls in his body, he 
threw himself down a precipice forty feet deep. Reader instantly 
sprung after him, overpowered him, and cut off his head, and the 
hand with the three fingers, which gave him his title; these he carried 
in triumph into Kingston. His reward was a pension for life. 
Though we had no fear of a visit from such a Turpin as this, we 
felt some concern while threading our way along the edges of the 
hill where, on the side next the sea, there is nothing to keep one 
from driving headlong over. As the sun was about to rise, a thick 
bank of clouds skirted the horizon, the edges of which were bril- 
lantly illuminated, while broad fan-shaped beams of light shot up 
high in the heavens, which soon died away into one vast field of 
sunshine. 

During the heat of the day, we rested at our mission chapel at 
Yallahs, where we were regaled with humble fare, and made an in- 
effectual effort to obtain a little sleep on the chapel benches, having 
placed the gig cushions for pillows, and wrapped ourselves in cloaks. 
About 3, p.m., we resumed our journey, keeping along the sea- 
shore, instead of taking the road across the summit of the hill called 
the White Horses. We passed under the cliff, which is perpendi- 
cular and lofty, and being formed of a cream-coloured friable marl, 
the sand between the base and the sea is covered with masses and 
fragments which, from time to time, have crumbled down, rendering 
it a trial of skill worthy of a London cabman to thread his way be- 
tween them without endangering one's neck, shattering the vehicle, 
or injuring the horse — evils to which Jamaica travellers are by no 
means strangers. This cliff is a celebrated sea-mark, familiar to all 
sailors who have visited this part of the world. Nothing special 
occurred till we got near the end of our journey, when, on crossing 
a small river, we were shocked at witnessing a number of black 
and coloured females, washing clothes in a stream near the road- 
side, under the shade of clusters of bamboos, almost in a state of 
nudity, the only covering with some being a pocket handkerchief 
around the middle. They seemed unconscious of anything being 
amiss, and appeared not a little amused, when the step of my gig 
broke off against the leg of a mule, whose wilfulness put it out of 
my power to avoid the catastrophe. 

Morant Bay is thirty-one miles east of Kingston, in the parish of 
St. Thomas-in-the-East, and county of Surry. The harbour is con- 
sidered one of the largest and most beautiful in the island. The 
anchorage ground is defended by a coral reef, and a battery, which 
render it safe for the shipping. Most of the houses on the bay are 



MOB ANT BAY. 



built on elevated ground. The public buildings present nothing 
striking : the Church, Methodist Chapel, and jail or workhouse, are 
the most prominent. The profusion of cocoa-nut trees, interspersed 
with the plantain and bananas, give the whole a most West Indian 
appearance, by no means uninteresting. It is a painful fact, that 
most parts of it are unhealthy. The mortality of missionaries and 
their families here, has been greater than at any other station in the 
island, as will appear in the sequel. 

In the month of April, 1 802, Morant Bay was visited by some of 
the Kingston local preachers, one of whom, Mr. T. Warren, after- 
wards was called to the regular ministry, and still survives, though, 
from ill health, unable to discharge his wonted duties. The recep- 
tion given them by many persons, encouraged them to proceed. 
Messrs. Fish and Campbell followed up their efforts. In July, a so- 
ciety of thirty members was formed, and, by November, they in- 
creased to ninety, with the prospect of still further success. 
Meanwhile, a spirit of persecution was awakened, as soon as some, 
who felt the power of the Gospel, refused to run any longer to the 
same excess of riot they used to do. The conversion of some co- 
loured females exasperated those whose licentiousness blinded them 
to the pure truths of the word of God. The rabble were encou- 
raged by their superiors to do mischief, the meetings were inter- 
rupted, and the preachers insulted. The magistrates refused to 
licence either them or the houses in which the services were, held, 
and directed that, at the next Quarter Sessions, they should be pre- 
sented as nuisances. However, this prosecution fell to the ground, 
as nothing could be proved them against contrary to the laws of either 
God or man ; so that they continued their useful labours, and were sup- 
ported under the opposition of the base disturbers of the worship of 
God, by witnessing several souls brought to salvation, through faith 
in the sacrifice of the Redeemer, till the sweeping Persecuting 
Act, mentioned in the account of Kingston mission, came into 
force. 

Among those brought to God at Morant Bay, was Mr. Williams, 
a free person of colour, whose piety, talents, and acquirements, fitted 
him for acting as a local preacher and greatly promoting the interests 
of the mission. As soon as the Act was proclaimed, he gave up 
speaking in public, and determined to apply for a licence at the 
Court of Quarter Sessions. 

On the 4th of January, 1803. accompanied by two other local 
preachers, he proceeded to the Court, and made application, on which 
the chief magistrate ordered them off, observing, " that they ought 
to be committed for daring to address the Court.*' The following 
evening, about twenty serious persons met together, sung a few 
hymns, engaged in prayer, and then retired, without any preaching 
or address being delivered. An information was instantly lodged 
against those who were at the meeting. The next day, Mr. Williams 
was seized, and taken before five magistrates. Several witnesses 



MORA NT BAY. 



129 



appeared to testify, that, though Mr. W. did not preach a sermon, 
he actually sung and prayed, which their worships deemed to be 
identical, though Mr. W. endeavoured to point out the difference 
between singing, praying, and preaching, but without success. The 
trial elicited from the witnesses a clear testimony to the peaceable 
tendency of the doctrines taught, and duties inculcated on the people 
by Mr. W. Still this did not turn either the heads or the hearts of 
their worships in his favour. He was sentenced to one month's 
hard labour in the workhouse, and was immediately taken to prison. 
Though he was not chained and put to labour with the run-away 
slaves,the gaoler received directions to keep him closely confined in the 
gaol during the period fixed by the sentence. He was confined in 
a damp brick-paved room, calculated to destroy health and en- 
danger life, in this very unhealthy locality. 

He felt the presence and supporting grace of the Redeemer, for 
whose sake he was now in bonds. He did not murmur ; his mind 
was preserved in perfect peace ; and, after patiently waiting, he was 
suffered to leave his cell without any bodily injury, — though, at 
at other times, occasionally a sufferer from rheumatism. On the 
expiration of the term of his imprisonment, he was required to find 
bail for his appearance at the following Quarter Sessions, in order 
to be tried as the owner or possessor of a house in which praying 
and preaching had been conducted. To this he demurred, on 
which he was sent back to prison ; and, after being confined another 
day, his prosecutors let him go. 

No sooner was Mr. Campbell apprised of the imprisonment of 
Mr. Williams, than he travelled from Kingston to Morant Bay, per- 
suaded that he was properly and legally qualified to preach to the 
people — who were now in affliction, being deprived of the help of Mr. 
W., and exposed to the insults of their enemies. Neither he nor 
Mr. Fish imagined that the act of the island legislature was intend- 
ed to extinguish, or set aside the Toleration Act of the Imperial 
Government ; but he was soon undeceived on this point. The 
first evening he preached, he was apprehended and taken before 
one of the magistrates, who questioned him closely. He produced 
his license, and was dismissed without compromise or conditions, 
as one clearly exempted from the penalties of the new act. For 
several days he continued to hold services and to preach without 
interruption. But at length he found that a fresh attempt was about 
to be made to silence him, on which he repaired to Kingston and took 
the advice of counsel. The legal gentleman whom he consulted 
assured him that his British license gave him full protection. He 
accordingly returned to the Bay, and resumed his public duties, 
which he continued till the 7th of February, 1803, when he was 
again seized and taken before four magistrates, among whom was 
the one who had already admitted that he was exempted from the 
penalties of the new act. On being questioned as to his authority 
for preaching, he produced his license, declaring that he had qualified 

Q 



130 



MOR ANT BAY. 



himself under the laws of England. ^)n one of the magistrates 
giving it as his opinion that Mr. Campbell's license was not suffi- 
cient, and that he came under the penalty of the new law, Mr C. 
replied that he had not come before their worships without advice. 
He was then called upon to make his defence, on which he asked 
what law of the island was against his license. They replied that 
he might put questions, but they were not Obliged to answer him ; 
which led Mr. C. to remark, that, if that were the case, it was 
useless for him to say any thing in his own defence. He was forth- 
with committed to prison. 

" In this abode of solitude, Mr. Campbell was not long confined ; 
but, while he continued in prison, he was kept so closely that none 
but his wife and children were (during part of the time) permitted 
to remain in the room with him. Through the iron gratings of his 
windows, his friends were permitted to converse with him occa- 
sionally; and he found means, though thus immured, to exhort 
them to be stedfast and immoveable in the ways of God, and to 
look bej^ond the cloudy dispensation which then overshadowed 
them. From the consolations which he felt in his own soul, he was 
enabled to impart comfort to others, and to exhort them to hold 
fast whereunto they had attained, and to urge, undaunted, their 
way to eternal life." 

The Supreme Court happened to be holding its sittings at this 
time, which induced Mr. Campbell to apply for a writ of Habeas 
Corpus, that he might without loss of time have his case decided 
Accordingly he was taken before the Court in order to have his 
cause heard by the Chief Justice of the island and two assistant 
judges. 

" Mr. Campbell's counsel pointed out, in a masterly and perspi- 
cuous manner, that he did not come under that description of per- 
sons which the law intended to forbid ; but that he had been legally 
qualified under the laws of Great Britain ; and he challenged the 
opposite counsel to produce any law of the island under which Mr. 
Campbell could further qualify to exempt himself from those charges 
which were now brought against him. The opposite counsel en- 
tered largely into those imaginary dangers which resulted from 
preaching to mulattoes and slaves ; but, without attempting to bring 
home the charges upon Mr. Campbell, or to adduce any specific 
instances in support of the theory which he advanced. It was a 
declamation, which rather apologised for the law than criminated 
the defendant ; and rested upon hypothetical possibility, without 
any personal application." 

The Chief Justice deemed Mr. Campbell's license sufficient, but 
the majority of the Court were of an opposite opinion. It was 
sufficient that Mr C. was found guilty of having preached at Morant 
Bay. Nothing that could be said in his vindication availed ; he 
was accordingly pronounced guilty, and punished according to the 
new island act. The validity of his commitment being called in 



MORANT BAY. 



131 



question, two days after this a hearing was given on this point, 
when it was clearly proved, from several adjudged law cases, that 
it was not valid, either in form or substance. The Chief Justice 
seemed to be of opinion, that the informalities and defects in the 
commitment were fatal to it ; but again the other judges gave a 
different opinion. So that all hope of relief was taken from Mr. 
Campbell, who was taken back to his prison at Morant Bay, and 
kept in confinement till the term for which he was committed ex- 
pired; when he repaired to Kingston and succeeded in obtaining a 
license at the Quarter Sessions held in the month of May. 

Though deprived of their minister, the people at Morant Bay 
continued faithful in the midst of foes; and those of them who were 
able used to travel to Kingston to enjoy the ordinances of the 
Gospel — a distance of 31 miles! On receiving his license, Mr. 
Campbell, accompanied by Mr Fish, proceeded to Morant Bay. 
" They went at the time of the Quarter Sessions, and presented a 
written petition to the magistrates, praying for a license for a house 
in that place in which they had been accustomed to meet. At the 
same time, they observed that they had been duly qualified in 
Kingston according to the Toleration Act of England, but that they 
were willing to take the oaths again, if required. The petition was 
read, and returned by the chairman, with this reply, " The magis- 
trates are unanimously resolved to grant no licenses!" 

" Not satisfied with what they had already done, the magistrates 
now revived a branch of the prosecution, which had been dropped 
for the space of three months, and issued a warrant to apprehend 
Messrs. Campbell and Williams, and to lay them under a penalty of 
£100, which, according to their interpretation of the new law, they 
had incurred, as occupiers and possessors of the meeting-house, at 
the time of their being prosecuted for preaching." 

A constable was repeatedly sent to Kingston to seize Mr. Camp- 
bell, who eluded his vigilance, as he was assured that the magistrates 
were resolved, not only to enforce payment of £100, but compel 
him to give such securities as were out of his power, or keep him 
shut up in prison. With the advice of his friends, he left the island 
altogether, to escape the perpetual machinations of such unreasonable 
and relentless men. 

The persecuting law which led to such disgraceful proceedings 
being repealed, Mr. Bradnack repaired to Morant Bay, to cheer the 
afflicted flock, and help them out of the difficulties in which they 
had been placed. One of the first objects on his arrival was to en- 
deavour to complete the erection of a chapel, which had been 
already begun. Wheresoe ver he applied for pecuniary aid, he was en- 
couraged beyond expectation. Even from England, several unlooked 
for donations were received, and everything seemed to concur in 
favour of the object being carried to completion. 

Not content with preaching at the Bay, Mr. Bradnack extended 
his labours to the neighbouring estates, towns, and villages, as far 



132 



MORANT BAY. 



as to Manchioneal. He was soon enabled to make a return of ninety- 
seven members, of whom two were whites, and ninety-five coloured 
or black persons. In January, 1807, he observed : "At Morant 
Bay, I have admitted fifty members this quarter, so that their 
number now amounts to one hundred and fifty-five. There are 
many places to which we have not been able to attend, for want of 
another preacher, and want of money to erect chapels. Through 
my illness, Morant Bay Chapel has been nearly neglected during 
some months past : for our funds being nearly exhausted, the work 
was at a stand, and we found no means of recruiting them, till my 
returning health enabled me to apply to our charitable benefactors. 
I have lately collected fifty pounds, and the tradesmen are again at 
work. The blessed work of God not only spreads wider, but it 
sinks deeper in the hearts of our members. We are constantly 
comforted with the enlivening declarations of those who are born of 
the Spirit, and made heirs of God, and joint heirs with Christ." On 
Sabbath, the 26th of April, the chapel was so far advanced as to ad- 
mit of its being opened ; on which occasion, Mr. Knowlan preached 
to large and attentive congregations, and continued to officiate at 
the Bay till the 26th of May, and then returned to Kingston. 

The cheering circumstances in which the mission was placed was 
followed by great prosperity. Openings continued to present them- 
selves on the estates, affording fields of usefulness too numerous for 
the time and strength of the missionary to enter into. In 1814, 
when Mr. White, who was employed at first as a local preacher, 
left it, he remarked : " It is confidently expected that, at Morant 
Bay, from its growing state, it will want a second preacher. I left 
this place early in November last, on Mr. Burgar's removal thither. 
It was then in a thriving state, and was likely to continue so. The 
number in society was somewhat more than six hundred, and I hear 
that it has been increasing and prospering in every respect since." 
In 1815, it was made a separate circuit, and Mr. Burgar was sent 
as Mr. White's successor. On the 10th of April he wrote : " We 
have had about two hundred increase since my arrival, the most of 
whom are negroes. To say that they are all fully converted, is what 
I by no means believe ; yet some are converted, many more are 
deeply serious, and all profess to have " a desire to flee from the 
wrath to come. 

The conduct of Mr. Burgar was such, that not only did the mis- 
sion greatly prosper in his hand, but prejudice gradually gave place 
to a favourable feeling among all classes of the inhabitants. Even 
some of the magistrates became friendly, and several of the leading 
inhabitants attended the preaching. 

A transient reaction took place from the following incident : — 
One of the members of the society, a female slave, having died, her 
quarterly ticket or token of church membership fell into the hands of 
the overseer of the estate, who lost no time in showing it to a magis- 
trate. Suspicion instantly arose that the missionary was organizing 



MORANT BAY. 



133 



a conspiracy among the slaves, to destroy the whites, and take pos- 
session of the island. A meeting of the magistrates and vestrymen 
was convened, and Mr. Burgar cited to appear before them. The 
ominous ticket was exhibited, bearing the alarming inscription, 
" The kingdom of Heaven suffereth violence, and the violent take 
it by force !" After several grave suspicions as to the meaning of 
these awful words had been expressed by some of their worships, 
one of their number, who had known something of Methodist Church 
polity in the mother country, observed, that, "though he was ready 
to admit that Jamaica was a lovely island, it would be going rather 
too far, in setting forth its loveliness, to call it " the kingdom of 
Heaven /" He then gave his brethren information of the practice 
of the Methodists, with regard to giving certificates of membership ; 
and, on Mr. Burgar fetching a similar ticket, which his wife had 
received before she left England, their fears were dissipated, and the 
affair concluded by the Custos admonishing Mr. B. to " preach the 
necessity of good works, but to say nothing about faith, for that was 
dangerous doctrine for the negroes !" 

This little cloud being cleared away, Mr. Burgar continued his 
labours with great acceptance, till the 15th of July, 1816, on which 
day he removed to Kingston, where the people received him with 
much affection, and fondly hoped that his ministry would be owned 
of the Head of the Church among them. But these expectations 
were suddenly terminated, for, only five days after his arrival in 
Kingston, he was seized with yellow fever — prompt measures were 
adopted, a favourable change took place, but, in a few days after- 
wards, the fever returned with increased virulence, and carried him 
off on the 1st of August. His death caused a great sensation ; thou- 
sands accompanied his remains to the grave, with feelings of genuine 
sorrow. The news produced a corresponding effect at Morant Bay. 
At the next vestry meeting that took place, £100 was voted to his 
widow, as an expression of the esteem in which he were held by the 
magistracy and people, who had witnessed his conduct as a Christian 
missionary among them. He was a native of London, a decided 
friend to the doctrines and discipline of the church of which he was 
a minister. His career was eminently successful, though short, being 
finished ere he reached his twenty-eighth year. 

In October following, Mr. Wiggins, having obtained a licence, 
laboured with much success. The morning congregations were 
large and attentive, and, in the evening, many white, and free brown 
and black persons attended, while the members of the church in- 
creased to 1 246, by the close of the year. In 1 8 1 7, the missionaries 
contemplated establishing stations at Manchioneal,Pomfret, and Port 
Antonio. 242 were added to the society, and many respectable 
white persons became regular hearers. The moral and religious 
improvement of the people advanced, according to the attention 
bestowed on them. The report of 1818 stated, that this was con- 
fessed by the leading persons of the community, who were wont to 



134 



MO RANT BAY. 



view the mission with suspicion and dislike. In death, many of the 
members had given happy evidence of the reality of their faith, and 
hope of eternal life. .Y .? «, 7 . ' 

Messrs. Home and Underhill having been appointed to Morant 
Bay early in 1819, they were licensed by the magistrates on the 
21st of February, and the latter began his missionary work by 
preaching his first sermon in Jamaica at Morant Bay, on Sabbath 
the 8th of March. These devoted men entered upon their work 
with enlightened Zeal, and prosecuted it with cheering success. 
Several influential parties treated them with attention, and lent 
assistance in various temporal matters. They reviewed the year 
with grateful feelings, observing that the piety and morality of 
their people were truly gratifying. The experience of numbers 
possessed all the evidences of a sound, sober, deep, and scriptural 
godliness ; observing, that the acquaintance of the negroes with 
Divine truth was, in many instances, surprising, though scarcely 
any of them could read, and the only way they had of obtaining 
this knowledge was by hearing it from their ministers. The influ- 
ence of the instruction given them was seen in a decisive moral 
change. Previously, the most inveterate habits of adultery, forni- 
cation, polygamy, and drunkenness, prevailed among them ; but 
now temperance, uprightness, and godliness, were conscientiously 
practised by those who professed to receive the Gospel. 

On the 27th of January, 1820, Mr. Ratcliffe arrived at Morant 
Bay with his family, just in time to witness the death-bed scene of 
J oseph Hartley, a young missionary, of amiable disposition and 
considerable ministerial promise, who had been appointed to the 
missionary work only about eighteen months previously, being then 
in his twentieth year. Mr. R. was alarmed on entering the room ; 
he found him suffering from a relapse of fever. His mind was 
much affected ; at short intervals his memory returned. On asking 
him the state of his mind, he replied, " Happy, very happy, bless 
the Lord." The next morning he was seized with a strong convul- 
sion ; sank into a stupor, and continued insensible till five o'clock 
in the evening of the following day, when he quietly expired. His 
superintendent remarked of him :— " Brother Hartley was, from the 
day of his landing till his death, not only under my care, but a re- 
sident in the same house with me ; and justice obliges me to say, 
that in him the Church has sustained a great loss." Mr. R. ob- 
served: — " The death of a Christian missionary I have always 
thought had in it something peculiarly afflictive, not so much be- 
cause remote from the much-loved spot of his nativity, or deprived 
of the sweet solace of parental attention during the hours of 
languishment and disease, but more particularly on account of the 
loss of those means which promised eternal life to thousands of 
perishing heathens." 

To add to Mr. Ratcliffe's trial, Mr. Underbill's health was so 
shattered that he could give no assistance in a field of labour 



MORANT BAY. 



135 



embracing seventy miles of country, with 2,680 souls united in 
church membership, and looking to the missionaries for the atten- 
tion essentially necessary to their spiritual advancement. To en- 
able him to visit Bath and Manchoneal, the brethren stationed in 
Kingston, preached once in six weeks either at Morant Bay or 
Pomfret. Though his labours were exceedingly onerous, his mind 
Was sustained by the success with which he was favoured. 

For more than a year, death had been gleaning among the mission 
families throughout the island, and, ere this year closed, Mr. Rat- 
cliffe was called to resign two of his children, and their much-loved 
mother, into the hand of the irresistible destroyer, w r hile he barely 
escaped with his own life. On the 31st October, Mrs. R. was seized 
with fever, and, two days after, Mr. R. himself. Both were speedily 
reduced to utter helplessness, the one not having strength to move 
into the adjoining room to see the other. Mrs. R/s fever being ac- 
companied with violent hysterical affection, premature labour was 
brought on, and she was delivered of a son. After a short inter- 
mission, the fever returned with increased power — entire prostra- 
tion followed. Mr. R. mustered his remaining strength, staggered 
into her room, on Monday, November 6th, about two, p.m., and had 
a last interview with her ; in seven hours afterwards she was num- 
bered with the dead, ere she reached her thirty-second year. Her 
first religious impressions were recei ved under the Baptist ministry, 
in Northamptonshire, while on a visit to her uncles. The heart- 
searching sermons of the Methodists deepened her convictions, and 
led her to the atonement of the Redeemer for pardon. Her views 
of justification by faith, and the witness of the spirit, were remark- 
ably clear, her experience deep and solid. Constrained by love to 
Christ, and the souls of perishing sinners, she gave up her friends 
and home, entered the mission-field, did what she could, and found 
a grave. About the same time, the Rev. Messrs. Cole and Stainsby, 
of the Established Church, were placed in the same mournful cir- 
cumstances as Mr. Ratcliffe, both their wives being carried off by 
the fever. 

The following year was marked by a recurrence of scenes of 
mingled joy and sorrow. Messrs. Johnstone and Duncan succeeded 
Messrs. Ratcliff and Underhill, entering fully into their labours, their 
encouragments, and their trials. It was a season of great toil and 
anxiety, to Mr. Johnston especially, who exerted himself beyond his 
strength in order to get a chapel erected at Bath. The result was a 
termination to his earthly labours. For some time his health was per- 
ceptibly failing, though he continued his labours till near the middle 
of September, when he was suddenly seized with fever, the news 
of which brought Mr. Duncan from Manchioneal, and Mr. Under- 
hill from Kingston, to witness, and, if possible, alleviate the 
sufferings of the venerated and much loved missionary. A day 
or two after his arrival, Mr. Underhill became ill of fever. His 
constitution, already much weakened by former attacks, was unable 



36 



MORANT BAY. 



to grapple with it, and on the 24th of September he entered "into 
the joy of his Lord ;" and, eleven days afterwards, he was followed 
by the excellent man whose sickness drew him to Morant Bay. 
Mr. George Johnston was a native of Berwickshire, and must ever 
be regarded as one of the best missionaries sent by the Committee 
to the West Indies. The following record, entered on their minutes 
on receiving the afflictive intelligence of the death of these mission- 
aries, shew the regard they had for him : — " Resolved — That whilst 
the Committee must deeply deplore the above melancholy account 
(furnished by Mr. Duncan) of the loss which the mission has sus- 
tained by the removal of Messrs. Johnston and Qnderhill, they 
cannot but record upon their minutes the high sense they entertain 
of the upright, faithful, and zealous conduct of the late Rev. G. 
Johnston during the long period of eighteen years, in which he 
acted as a Methodist missionary in the West India islands. In 
every place he acquired the confidence and esteem of the public, 
and the warm attachment of the congregation and societies to whom 
he ministered. He was a man most truly devoted to the service 
of his great master ; and, notwithstanding the increasing infirmities 
of his later years, which required him to moderate his labours, he 
continued a course of unabated activity, ever intent upon the ad- 
vancement of the work in which he was engaged. To his colleagues 
in the ministry, he manifested uniform kindness and affection ; and 
by all the societies over whom he was placed, he was looked up to 
as a father and a friend. His public ministry and pastoral conduct 
were always faithful, judicious, and well adapted to the state of 
society in the West Indies. During some periods of his mission in 
Jamaica he had to contend with powerful opposition, but he con- 
ducted himself in all respects as the servant of the Lord Jesus, and 
had the happiness to witness for years past opposition declining; 
the religious labours of himself and brethren highly appreciated by 
those in authority ; and the most gratifying success in the conver- 
sion of souls, and the increase of our societies in that island. 

" In the death of so excellent and experienced a minister, our 
West India mission has sustained no ordinary loss." 

Mr. Underhill was a native of Staffordshire. He was a young 
man of considerable ability ; his diligence in study, and his accu- 
rate acquaintance with methodist doctrines and discipline, qualified 
him to give sound instruction, and to manage the affairs of the 
societies committed to his charge with wisdom and discretion, which 
gained their confidence and affection. He finished his course in 
the twenty-seventh year of his age. 

Mr. Duncan observed:—" In Mr. Underbill's death the Church 
has sustained a great loss. He was very attentive to the flock of 
Christ over which he was appointed, watching over them with all 
the affection and vigilance of one who was most feelingly alive to 
their welfare. The little society among whom he chiefly laboured, 
since he returned from America (whither he had gone for change of 



MORANT BAY. 



137 



climate, after his last severe illness at Morant Bay), bore towards 
him a great affection. 

On Sunday morning last, whilst I was endeavouring to improve 
the mournful event among them, my voice was frequently drowned 
with their unaffected sighs and groans ; and, after preaching, the 
weeping negroes frequently observed that they had lost a good 
father. Jn Kingston, Mr. Young preached a funeral sermon for 
these two excellent missionaries, from Phil. i. 23, to a large and 
deeply affected congregation, whose weeping on the occasion was 
quite overwhelming. Thus was their departure bewailed by those 
who knew them, both at home and in the West Indies. 

These painful events placed the mission in a state of comparative 
destitution, in consequence of which the spiritual state of the people 
began to show symptoms of decay ; frequently they were left with- 
out any preaching, on account of the want of missionaries ; the 
field was large and white unto the harvest, but the labourers were 
few. Some improvement took place while Messrs. Kerr, Jenkins, 
and Beard were labouring here, between 1824 and the year follow- 
ing. Many of the free people of colour were zealous and useful ; 
a great number of slaves were much devoted to God, and consis- 
tent in their deportment ; and most of the head men on the estates 
within the parish were members of the society. 

Little change took place in the mission till 1827, when death 
again swept away several from the mission family. Mr. Ratcliffe, 
Mrs. Crookes, and Mr. Parkin, were of the number. The 
latter was stationed at Morant Bay. He was born at Barnard 
Castle, in the county of Durham, and went as a missionary to 
Antigua in 1820, where he suffered severely from ill health, which 
compelled him to return to England for a year ; after which he pro- 
ceeded to Jamaica, and was appointed to Morant Bay. Though still 
far from being fully restored to health, he continued his labours till 
August 18th, when he received notice from Mr. Crookes, at that 
time stationed at Manchioneal, that Mr. Ratcliffe had died of fever 
at Port Antonio, on which he determined on going to sympathise 
with Mrs. Ratcliffe in her affliction ; but that night a hurricane set 
in, which continued till the following evening, when another express 
arrived with the distressing intelligence that Mrs. Crookes was 
numbered with the dead, and that Mr. Whitehouse was so ill that 
his recovery was doubtful. Poorly as he was, he immediately set 
out for Bath, and the next day proceeded to Manchioneal to consign 
the remains of Mrs. Crookes to the tomb ; after which he travelled 
to Port Antonio to see Mrs. Ratcliffe. No sooner had he returned 
home than he was called to attend a Special District Meeting in 
Kingston. On his way back he stopped at Yallahs to preach on 
the Sabbath, being so weak as to be unable to go on to Morant Bay 
to do his Sabbath duties. After this, he revived and continued 
better till Sabbath, September the 9th. When at breakfast, he 
remarked that he had not felt so well for some time as he did then. 

R 



138 



M OR ANT BAY. 



" At ten o'clock he read prayers and preached to a large and atten- 
tive congregation with great freedom, and announced his intention 
to preach a funeral sermon for Mr. Ratcliffe in the evening. He 
then baptized a child, and met three classes, but he was so ill that 
some of his friends felt alarmed, and Mrs. Parkin endeavoured to 
dissuade him from attempting to preach in the evening. However, 
he observed, ' That as he had published to preach the funeral ser- 
mon, and had received a letter the previous evening from the Rev. 
Mr. Trew, that, through the sickness of himself and curate, there 
would be no service in the church, and that he hoped the chapel would 
be opened that his people might have an opportunity of hearing the 
word of life, he should not feel himself justified unless he made 
the attempt.' When he ascended the pulpit he was very ill. He, 
however, sang and prayed ; and gave out these words (forgetting to 
mention where they were recorded), ' I know that my Redeemer 
liveth.' He apologised, stating that he was unwell, and that no- 
thing could have induced him to preach that evening but the death 
of his much respected brother, whose decease he would endeavour 
to improve to their profit. He spoke a few minutes from the text, 
and then added, 4 Perhaps this is the last time we shall meet here 
below,' and read a letter he had received, stating the particulars of 
the death of Brother Ratcliffe. He soon concluded, and returned 
home." 

The fever was kept at bay for a day or two by medicine, when 
it was deemed expedient to call in a physician, who used the most 
prompt and decided means, but in vain. His colleague seeing that 
he was dying, asked him c< how his soul was, in reference to eternity." 
He answered, " Bless God, there is not a cloud upon my mind that 
can give the least cause for any doubt of my acceptance into his 
eternal glory." Soon after, he exclaimed — 

" "Worthy the Lamb that died," &c. 

Mrs. Parkin said to him, " Fear not, my dear, God has brought us 
through many troubles and dangers, and he will not forsake us in 
this trying hour." " No," he added " bless God, he will never leave 
nor disappoint us, if we trust in him, but will bring us through all 
in safety." "With great emphasis, he repeatedly said, " I know that 
my Redeemer liveth, and that I shall be happy with him for ever 
and ever." He continued in the same frame of mind, till six o'clock 
on Saturday evening, September the 15th, and then entered "into 
the joy of his Lord." On the following evening, his remains were 
committed to the dust, in a burial-ground about half a mile out of 
the town, which had been recently purchased for the members of 
the society ; and, on the evening of the following day, his death 
was improved by his colleague, to a weeping congregation, from 
Numbers xxiii. 10 — " Let me die the death of the righteous," &c. 
Besides this devoted missionary, many useful members of the 



MORANT BAY. 



139 



church under his care died happy in the Lord that year, leaving a 
blessed testimony of their faith in the Redeemer, and hope of enter- 
ing into his rest. The members generally gave proofs of their sin- 
cerity, and several were added to their number. The Sabbath- 
school was in an encouraging state, through the attention and zeal 
of the teachers, though the number of scholars was comparatively 
small. The conduct of some of the people in the early part of 1828 
called for prompt and decisive exercise of discipline, which had a 
salutary effect on those who were expelled, and on the society 
generally. However, the want of a sufficient supply of preaching 
and pastoral attention, arising from the small number, the sickness, 
and deaths of missionaries, was much felt, and the evil was greatly 
aggravated by the civil bondage of the people, which allowed them 
no opportunity of attending the public worship of God, except once 
in two Sabbaths, while it entirely cut them off from week-evening 
instruction . From the death of Mr. Parkin till the appointment of 
Mr. Penman, the general state of the society was discouraging : the 
zeal and affection of many of the leaders and members greatly de- 
clined, while others, through old age and infirmity, were kept from 
the means of grace. 

In 1830, death once more left them as sheep without a shepherd. 
Mr. Penman was cut off in the twenty-seventh year of his age, and 
fifth of his ministry. He was a young man of sound piety and 
great promise. After exercising his ministry upwards of two 
years in England, he was sent to Jamaica, where he arrived in 
March, 1829, and, after a useful career of about twenty months, 
was cut down at Morant Bay, on the 8th of November, 1830. 
For some time previous to his fatal sickness, he appeared to 
be more than usually serious and spiritually-minded, and left 
satisfactory evidence of having passed ** through death, triumphant 
home." 

About this time, the society sustained a heavy loss by the death 
of the circuit steward, Mr. Charles Robertson, whose consistent 
conduct, and active zeal for twenty years, contributed greatly to 
advance the interests of the mission. As a leader, he was one of 
the most successful in the island. His excellent wife, who died a 
few years before him, was like-minded. Both employed their 
talents and influence in the service of the Redeemer, and were uni- 
versally respected and loved by the missionaries and the people, 
who, in seasons of affliction, witnessed and experienced their kind 
Christian offices. 

During 1832, Mr. Barr was the resident missionary, and the 
writer, then stationed at Bath, frequently exchanged Sabbath-day's 
labour with him. Though considerable alarm pervaded St. Thomas- 
in-the-East during martial law, very few indications of insurrection 
among the slaves appeared. One poor fellow, a man of colour, a 
run-away slave, who was caught by a party of Maroons, while mak- 
ing a wooden bowl in the woods, was taken to Morant Bay, tried, 



140 



MORANT BAY. 



condemned, and executed, and his head, on being cut off, was 
fixed upon a pole, and set up on the Bay. 

Great pains were taken by many of the whites to prevent the 
slaves attending the chapel, who also, in many instances, burned or 
tore down the thatched houses in which they were accustomed to 
meet for prayer on the estates; in consequence of which, the spiritual 
state of the society suffered declension. However, towards the end 
of the year, considerable improvement took place, especially among 
the leaders, both as it regarded their unity, affection, and zeal to do 
good. 

Having removed to the north side of the island for some 
time, Mr. Barr returned to Morant Bay, in 1835. In October 
he was seized with fever, and died on the 17th. He was a consis- 
tent, pious, acceptable, and useful missionary. 

At the time when the people were set free from their civil bond- 
age, Mr. Atkins was alone in the circuit, with 2000 members under 
his care, owing to the paucity of missionaries in the island. Under 
feelings excited by his circumstances, he wrote to the Committee 
in 1838 : " I must beseech you, send me help ; nothing less than 
three missionaries can work this circuit, as it is, 4 even if they are in 
labours more abundant/ to say nothing of the very numerous and 
important openings around us, to which I have been invited again 
and again. There is a fine feeling in this parish in our favour. 
The people are ripe for us. O, send some hard-working men to 
help us, and we shall soon reap a glorious harvest." 

A few months after this appeal, Mr. F. Whitehead was sent to 
his assistance. They were greatly cheered by the good conduct of 
the members on the estates, which was highly commended by their 
employers. No bickerings about wages took place among them, 
but all seemed contented to go on with goodwill, as free labourers. 

An attempt was made by some agitators from Kingston, in 1839, to 
injure the mission, but without effect. The congregations were over- 
flowing, new stations were taken up at Port Morant and Blue Mountain 
Valley, at the former place a chapel was erected, and the chapel at 
Morant Bay considerably enlarged, towards which the people con- 
tributed most liberally, and the number of members greatly in- 
creased, which led to renewed and urgent calls for additional mis- 
sionaries to carry on the work. Mr. Whitehead observed : " We 
do what we can, we travel beneath the burning rays of noon, 
and amid the pernicious dews of the evening, but we cannot do 
enough." 

In the midst of these excessive efforts, Mr. Atkins was deprived 
of his excellent wife, who had a presentiment, on going to Morant 
Bay, that she should die there. Under this impression, she planted 
two young cocoa-nut trees in the chapel yard, and, pointing to the 
space between them, said, " When I die, I wish to be buried there." 
As the writer was taking a last look at these mission premises, the 
verdant plumage of these trees overshadowed the tomb in which her 



MORA NT BAY. 



141 



ashes silently repose, till summoned back into life, on the resurrec- 
tion morn, in hope of which her redeemed spirit passed into the 
mansions of light. 

The following extract of a letter from Mr. Atkins, towards the 
close of the following year, though referring to the mission gene- 
rally at this time, was specially applicable to Morant Bay Cir- 
cuit : — " The mission cause is still prospering in Jamaica. The 
brethren are united in heart ajid hand in this glorious work, and the 
Lord is with them. At our several stations, the work is in pros- 
perity, and our people are rapidly increasing in numbers, and, we 
trust, in piety. The fields are already white unto the harvest, and 
everything unites to tell us, that the time to favour Jamaica, yea, 
the set time, is come ! I need hardly say how we are cramped in 
our efforts for want of men. ' The harvest truly is great, but the 
labourers are few.' When the grain is ripe, if it be not speedily 
gathered in, it is liable to perish. We forego ease, and endure 
fatigue, to secure it ! yet thousands around us are destroyed for 
lack of knowledge ! There is at present a general move amongst the 
people, an earnest seeking after more religious light and knowledge. 
We pity them, we pray for them, but our hands are full, we have 
more than we can do. Let it not be argued that Jamaica has its 
share of missionaries, compared with other parts of the great mission 
field. Look at the circumstances of this circuit, and Bath circuit, 
and other circuits in this district, and say, in what other place is it 
that two missionaries are placed in charge of upwards of three thou- 
sand members of society. It is not the climate only, but the ex- 
cessive labour that has made J amaica such a grave of missionaries. 
We have pressing invitations, and doors of usefulness thrown wide 
open, which we cannot — dare not enter, because we have already 
taken too much work upon ourselves — work that we cannot expect 
to endure any length of time. We heard the cry of our brethren 
for whom Christ died, ' Come over and help us/ and we went, re- 
posing, as we have always done, confidence in you, and in Britain, 
that her sons would be sent forth amongst us — 

' To spend and to be spent for those, 
Who have not yet our Saviour known.' 

And now, how are we disappointed — our hands are made to hang 
down, and we could almost wish ourselves from this interesting 
scene of labour. Hundreds who have been encouraged by our ex- 
pectations of help from you, who have always been the friends of 
the neglected and destitute, must be left to seek elsewhere what is 
out of our power to give. Of Jamaica, we say, ' Behold, now is 
the accepted time, behold, now is the day of salvation.' The pre- 
sent is superior to any opportunities we have ever had, and, if not 
seized, they may be looked for afterwards in vain. Friends of the 
mission cause, help us!' 



142 



MORANT BAY. 



When the writer visited this circuit in 1843, Messrs. Rowdenand 
Burrows were the resident missionaries. The latter had taken up 
his residence near Yallahs, in order to attend more fully to the so- 
ciety there. At Movant Bay, the people generally were improving 
in knowledge of Divine things. The Sabbath morning congrega- 
tions were overflowing, and deeply attentive to the word spoken — 
the members amounted to 1140. At Yallahs, the previous want of 
a missionary was much felt. Port T\£orant presented great encou- 
ragement. The conduct of the members was consistent, and their 
liberality exemplary. The progressive improvement of the people 
at Blue Mountain Valley was cheering — the number of members 
was 360. While at Providence, near the White Horses, a neat 
chapel had been erected, which was well filled with hearers — 233 
members were joined in church fellowship. The total number of 
members in the circuit was 2757, with a Sabbath and week-day 
school. The improvement since 1832 was everywhere apparent, 
but the want of a sufficient number of missionaries to do the work 
of the circuit, was discouraging to the brethren, and injurious to the 
people. 

Though the station at Yallahs has never risen to importance, it 
has always been interesting to the missionaries who have travelled 
between Kingston and the stations lying to the east. It is an in- 
variable resting-place in their journies, during the heat of the day. 
It is situated about twelve miles west of Morant Bay, and nineteen 
east of Kingston ; and, though close to the sea, is remarkably dry 
and warm, which contributes to render it a favourite retreat for 
snakes, lizards, scorpions, centipides, mosquitoes, and sand-flies. 
Water melons, pumpkins, sweet and sour sops, papaw, and such 
productions as grow here, are of excellent quality. The houses on 
the bay are few, and the population small. No object in the neigh- 
bourhood requires to be particularly noticed, except the river, which 
is sometimes exceedingly dangerous, and, since 1815, few or no 
fish have been found in it, though all the streams and rivers in 
the island are remarkably well supplied with the finny tribes. This 
fact is noticed in the following extract from Mr. Barclay's work on 
slavery : — 

" I have mentioned that every stream and rivulet in Jamaica 
abounds with fish, but Yallahs River, since 1815, is perhaps an ex- 
ception. The dreadful storm of the 18th and 19th of October in 
that year, having swept away or destroyed every description of fish 
in it. This river, which, in wet weather, is the dread of travellers, 
has its source among the highest of the Blue Mountains, whence 
collecting its waters from a number of rugged glens in a moun- 
tainous district, where the scenery is beyond description awful and 
sublime, it rushes down its short course to the sea, with such im- 
petuosity, as to carry stones of great size along with it. 

" The unexampled rain that accompanied the storm or hurricane of 
1815, the effects of which will be seen for ages, loosened the soil 



PORT MORANT. 



143 



on the hill sides, and repeated shocks of earthquake taking place at 
the same time, the ground in several steep places gave way, and 
slid down into the ravines. The torrent of water was thus for 
a time dammed back ; but, forcing its way at last over these ob- 
stacles, it speedily swept away the earth, stones, and trees that 
obstructed its course. 

" The works of many of the sugar and coffee plantations were de- 
stroyed, some swept away, and others buried deep under stones and 
gravel. The number of lives lost was considerable, and the case of 
a Mr. Smith and his family was particularly distressing. His house 
stood on a small plain, at some distance from the river, which, how- 
ever, overflowing its banks, and cutting a new channel on the other 
side, between him and the mountains, left him no means of escape. 
His house was carried away, and, when last seen, he was clinging 
to a tree with some of his family ; they were carried away by the 
torrent, and their bodies so mangled, that only some of their legs 
and arms were ever found. A large iron bridge was swept away 
at the same time, not a particle of which has ever been seen since. 
Happening to be in Kingston at this time of the storm, and Yallahs 
River continuing for several weeks impassable — (several years 
elapsed before it ran clear) — I embarked in a coasting vessel, to 
return to Port Morant by sea. Passing off the mouth of Yallahs 
River, we were obliged to take a considerable offing, to keep clear 
of the enormous quantity of floating trees, which literally covered 
the water to a considerable distance, while the interior of the coun- 
try bore scarcely less striking traces of the storm. The white 
chasms in the mountains marked the broken ground that had been 
carried away, and the usual green appearance of the forests being 
changed into a brown colour, they looked exactly as if they had 
been scorched with fire. Eight or nine sail of West India ships, 
and all the smaller craft of every description, in Port Maria, Annotta 
Bay, Port Antonio, and Manchioneal, were driven on shore and 
lost. In the county of Surrey, the crop on the ground, both of cane 
and provisions, was nearly destroyed, but the leeward parts of the 
island sustained little injury. 

" It is worthy of remark, to how small a space these visitations 
are frequently confined. In the present instance, the centre of the 
storm passed from north to south, across the island, from Annotta 
Bay, down the course of Yallahs River ; on the other side, at 
Spanish Town, about forty miles west, it was scarcely felt, and a 
vessel, off the Morant Keys at the time, about fifty miles to the 
east, experienced only a fresh gale." 

The writer has often had perilous work in crossing this river, after 
it has overflowed its ever-changing banks ; only a few years ago, 
both the river and the mountains on the north presented striking 
marks of the ravages of repeated storms, since the great one above 
mentioned. 

The first intimation of a station being formed in the parish of 



144 



MORA NT BAY. 



St. Davids, was given in the report of 1817, and the year following, 
four places of worship, instead of one, had been opened in Morant 
Bay Circuit. On Messrs. Home and Underhill being appointed to 
this field of labour in 1819, they took licences for both the parishes 
of St. Thomas-in-the-East and St. Davids. On the 4th of April, 
they appeared before the vestry of the latter parish, and presented 
their letters of ordination, and other credentials, and requested per- 
mission to open a place of worship. After looking at the documents, 
and asking a few questions, the matter was referred to the rector of 
the parish, who fully approved, and expressed his wish that the ser- 
vices should be held at the same time as he had his in the church, 
which met the approbation of all the gentlemen present. Cheered 
by this success, preparations were made, and Mr. Underhill opened 
the preaching-house, a fortnight afterwards when he preached to a 
crowded audience, who listened attentively to the word spoken. 

A few years before this, the attention of Mr. Burgar had been 
called to this neighbourhood by one of the members, a female of 
colour, who, though born in slavery, had been liberated in her in- 
fancy by her owner, Mrs. Geoghegan, a white lady, who also brought 
her up with care ; her name was Catherine Harris, who, with her 
husband, a kind-hearted worthy man, were still alive when the 
writer paid his last visit to Yallahs. She was brought to God in 
Kingston, and became a consistent and useful member of the so- 
ciety ; but, on her kind mistress removing to Pomfret, a property 
of her own in St. Davids, Catherine accompanied her, though greatly 
distressed at the loss of her religious advantages and friends. On 
being settled, she began to speak to her neighbours, and succeeded 
in raising a class, and bringing her mistress also to Christ for salva- 
tion, who took her servant for her spiritual guide. No sooner did 
this take place, than Mrs. Geoghegan fitted up her house with 
benches, called her neighbours together, and invited the missionary 
stationed at Morant Bay to come and preach to them. In two or 
three years she died, the property was sold, and the congregation 
was removed to a temporary house near by, erected for their ac- 
commodation. Mr. Underhill gave an interesting account of the 
conversion and death of an aged slave, named John Scott. Four 
score years had passed away, leaving him not only a stranger to 
God, but notorious as a drunkard, a swearer, and a thief. An aged 
female fellow-slave, who had been awakened to a sense of her sin 
and danger, and found redemption through the blood of Christ, no 
sooner felt the love of God shed abroad in her heart, than she en- 
deavoured to bring others to the Redeemer for salvation. " She, 
like John, had grown old in sin, but, being brought to the means of 
grace, the spirit of conviction took hold upon her, and feeling the 
sentence of condemnation in her heart, she fled, by faith, for refuge, 
to the hope set before her, and found, by a joyful experience, that 
' there is no condemnation to them that are in Christ Jesus,' and 
that 'the law of the Spirit of Life, in Christ Jesus, had made her 



MORA NT BAY. 



145 



free from the law of sin and death." As she had formerly lived 
with John, after the custom of the country, she knew how deep he 
was sunk in sin, yet for his salvation she felt the utmost solicitude. 
" She began to pray for him, and to speak to him ; for which labour 
of love she received nothing but curses and abuse for a considerable 
time ; yet, still seeing him upon the brink of ruin, she could not 
give him up : but the more wickedly he opposed the counsel of God 
against himself, the more earnestly did she intercede with God for 
him, until at length the Lord, in answer to her importunity, 

" Spake with that voice which wakes the dead, 
And bade the sleeper rise." 

With joy she led him to the house of God, where his convictions 
were deepened. She next took him to a class meeting, in deep 
anguish of soul ; but the leader would not receive him, on account 
of his exceeding bad character. But she brought him again, and 
pleaded for him with great fervour ; but still the leader continued 
sceptical about his sincerity, upon which the hoary-headed sinner 
fell upon his knees with tears, and entreated that he might not be 
rejected and sent away without instruction. Struck with the sin- 
gular importunity of the aged supplicant, the leader asked why he 
wished to come to class, when, only a few weeks previously, he did 
all in his power to injure those who came ? " Why," said he " me 
be a great drunkart, great tief, great sinner ; me see some bad as 
me come, been saved — me want to be saved too." He came once 
after this, and was them taken sick ; recovered — came twice more, 
and was then confined to his house entirely. His pious fellow- 
slaves visited and prayed with him, and urged him to look to Christ 
for the pardon of his sins. At length he ventured to hope for 
mercy, and cast his soul upon the atonement of Christ. " He 
could now say ' O Lord I will praise thee ; for though thou wast 
angry with me, thine anger is turned away, and thou comfortest 
me.' He now began to exhort all his old companions, who 
came to see him, to break off their sins by repentance, before it 
was too late, and particularly his children ; for these he expressed 
great concern, and affectionately exhorted them not to cry and 
grieve for him, but for their own sins, and to join the Society, and 
God would have mercy upon them, as he had mercy on him. In 
this happy state of mind he continued praising God, and preaching 
to all around him, until July 23d, 1818, when he slept to wake no 
more, until the morning of the resurrection." Such was an instance 
of the power of Divine grace, in saving one who was deemed 
u ignorant and wicked beyond all human hope of recovery ; but with 
God nothing is impossible." 

In 1820, when Mr. Ratcliffe was deprived of the assistance of 
Messrs. Underhill and Hartley, the former being compelled to 
remove to America on account of ill health, and the latter being 

s 



146 



MORANT BAY. 



cut off by death, the brethren stationed in Kingston visited Pomfret 
or Morant Bay once every six weeks, in order to allow Mr. R. to 
visit Bath and Manchioneal. He observes — " This they have done 
to the great joy of our people, who otherwise would have been 
partly deprived of the ordinances ; and it is with gratitude I remark 
that, under all the disadvantages arising from loss of ministerial labour 
and superintendence, God has mercifully visited the people with his 
presence, and added to their numbers far beyond my expectations." 

In 1 824, the Society was removed from Pomfret to Yallahs ; a 
building having been purchased, which had formerly been used as an 
inn or tavern, — a sketch of which is given with this account of the 
mission. At the opening of this place the prospects were highly 
encouraging. The congregations were frequently much too large 
for the accommodation it afforded. The members amounted to 
311 ; many of whom came from a great distance to hear the glad 
tidings of salvation. In consequence of which it was enlarged in 
1825, and the Society continued to increase in number, piety, know- 
ledge, and zeal. Three years later, the missionaries reported that 
the state of the Society was good, and afforded great cause of encou- 
ragement. The experience of the people was such as proved that 
the Gospel had not come to them " in word only, but in power," 
and that they had received it in the love thereof. From their state 
of civil bondage, they could attend only every alternate Lord's-day ; 
but still their attention to the means of grace, along with their walk 
and conversation in general, was as became the Gospel of Christ. 

Though the members had some trials to endure at the time of 
the insurrection, their innocency was made clear ; and, by the kind 
providence of God, they were allowed to enjoy their religious ser- 
vices without interruption. 

Lying betwen Kingston and Morant Bay, this station has been 
sometimes attached to the former as an outpost. This was the case 
in 1833, when Kingston was divided into two circuits, and called 
Kingston North, and Kingston South. The former, embracing the 
congregations at Parade or Coke Chapel, Ebenezer, and Port 
Royal ; the latter, Wesley Chapel, Yallahs, and Redhills. At this 
period, Mr. Burrows spoke of his labours at Yallahs with consider- 
able pleasure, and expressed his conviction that there was a great 
work to be done at this station. A spirit of hearing and enquiry 
had come upon the people ; and if an active missionary could have 
been located among them, many would have been brought to recei ve the 
Gospel. About two years afterwards, the brethren stated, that it 
afforded them great pleasure to be able to say, with confidence, that 
the Society was doing well ; perhaps, never better than then. The 
work of God was evidently going on in the souls of the people, and 
the chapel was much too small to contain the congregations. The 
number of members was three hundred and eighteen : and though 
there was an addition to this number of about one hundred and 
seventy in 1843, the want of a resident missionary was pain- 



MORANT BAY. 



147 



fully and discouragingly felt. So many doors of usefulness were 
thrown open to the brethren, that their energies were spent, while 
multitudes remained but partially supplied with preaching and pas- 
toral superintendence. This, however, was about to be obviated, 
by Mr. Burrows being appointed to reside at the station. 

The writer having left Kingston early on the morning of the 21st 
of March, 1843, arrived at Yallahs to breakfast, where he was most 
hospitably and affectionately received by Mr. and Mrs. Harris, who 
were now rapidly descending the vale of life; but in conversation about 
the rise and progress of the mission in this locality, they became 
animated and deeply affected. This aged and worthy couple were 
among the earliest friends the writer met with in this part of the 
island, and had experienced their kind attentions every time he had 
occasion to rest here in his travels. Finding Mr. Burrows' residence 
was about two miles from the Bay, he was sent for, and came im- 
mediately down : as this was to be possibly the last interview, after 
about twelve years kindly intercourse, it was felt by each. Having 
proceeded to the Chapel, to take a sketch of the mission pre- 
mises, we returned to Mr. Harris's : conversed on the ever chang- 
ing circumstances of the present life — the hope of the Christian 
beyond the grave, and a portion of the Gospel of St. John, uniting 
in supplication for each other, that we might be preserved while 
in the world ; and, if not permitted again to meet on earth, we 
might be found at the right hand of the Redeemer, in that day 
when he shall gather together his elect from the four winds. 

Taking an affectionate farewell of his friend and fellow -labourer, 
with whom he left England for Jamaica in 1831, and the two aged 
and tender-hearted Christian friends, whose kindness will ever 
keep Yallahs in remembrance, the writer drove off, amidst their un- 
feigned tears and earnest prayers that Divine Providence might 
guide him.safely to his native land. 



148 



CHAPTER XL 

GRATEFUL HILL. 

Scenery of St. Thomas-in-the-Vale — Origin of the mission — Grateful Hill Chapel 
built — First missionary meeting held — Prosperity of the mission— Mr. White- 
house — A chapel erected at Unity — Abortive attempt to destroy Grateful 
Hill Chapel — Mr. Wedlock — Electric phenomena — Heavy rains — Emancipa- 
tion of the slaves — Earthquakes— A negro family — Prosperity of the mission 
— Religious Tract Society's gifts — Baptist friends — A rude book-keeper — a 
temperance association formed— Agitation, re-action, and improvement. 

Having passed through the first two years of our missionary work, 
with its mingled cares, hopes, and fears, we left Bath for Grateful 
Hill, in January, 1834, with feelings of deep gratitute to the God 
of all grace, not only for his sparing mercy, but also on account of 
the large measure of heartfelt enjoyment vouchsafed to us during a 
period of unusual excitement and danger to the mission. 

The business of the Annual District Meeting having been termi- 
nated by the end of the month, the writer was detained in Kingston 
by heavy rains till Friday, February 7, when, with his family, he set 
out for his new station in St. Thomas-in-the- Vale. After leaving the 
city, we drove northward, through the plain of Liguanea, for about 
seven miles, passing Half-Way-Tree, leaving several pens and small 
settlements on the right and left of the road, and meeting with 
many individuals and small groups of negroes, with head loads of 
ground provisions and poultry, and a goodly array of donkeys on 
their weary way with well-filled panniers, the products of the moun- 
tain provision grounds and gardens, for the supply of Kingston 
market. On reaching the foot of Stoney Hill, we rested for a short 
time at the tavern, and then commenced our slow ascent to the 
summit of the hill. On our way upwards, Constant Spring estate, 
situated on the right between the hills, gladdened our eyes with the 
refreshing verdure of its lovely cane pieces, contrasting pleasingly 
with the deep foliage of the hills with which they are hemmed in. 
On account of the night coming on, and the dews falling heavily, 
we were compelled to stay in the house of Mr. Sanches, on the hill, 
till morning. The cold during the night we felt to be severe, after 
being accustomed to the hot atmosphere of Bath. As soon as we 
had light to see our way, we descended the hill on the north side, 
leaving the estates of Golden Spring and Temple Hall on the right. 
We wound our way along the side of Wag- Water River for two or 
three miles, and having climbed a steep and narrow road, we pur- 
sued our journey along the mountain ridges, till we again descended 
to Cassava River, and rose on the opposite side to a considerable 



GRATEFUL HILL. 



149 



elevation. We then threaded our way through many a tortuous 
path, till we arrived at our picturesque mission premises, perched 
on a hill, surrounded by innumerable hills and eminences of various 
sizes, and these again all encircled by lofty mountains rising on 
every side. The vast number of small settlements scattered through- 
out this hilly region, which is richly adorned with luxuriant vegeta- 
tion, render it enchanting to the lover of nature, while the sugar 
and coffee plantations, pimento walks, and grass pastures, which 
abound on every side, contribute to heighten its rural magnificence. 
Travel in what direction you may, new features of loveliness pre- 
sent themselves in endless variety. Between the hills, springs, 
streams, cascades, and rivers abound, while every evening a thick 
white fog sets in, enveloping the whole vale, and reaching even the 
tops of the loftiest mountains, as if the whole were covered with 
snow. As it condenses on the leaves of the trees, or any substance 
of a lower temperature, it falls in large drops, and forms small 
streams, as if rain were falling from the leaves. So thick does it 
become, that the traveller, if not well acquainted with the roads, 
cannot find his way. Soon after the sun breaks forth in the morn- 
ing, it gradually disappears, disclosing the tops of the mountains, 
then the hills, according to their elevation, giving the vale the appear- 
ance of a vast white sea, studded with lovely floating islands, dis- 
playing their beauties to the beams of the morning sun. Though 
this fog is so dense and drenching, it is not considered injurious to 
health. On all sorts of goods liable to rust or spot, it operates 
powerfully. Clothes, books, paper, and articles of steel, suffer 
rapidly from its corrosive and mildewing qualities. Its effects on 
the fertility and verdure of the country is striking : one leaving the 
dry hot plains of Liguanea, or St. Catherine, and ascending these 
heights, is amazed at the contrast between the apparent barrenness 
of the one, and the rich fertility of the other. The air also is so 
much cooler, that there is considerable danger of one taking cold or 
fever, by leaving the lowlands in the evening, and getting exposed 
to the chilling airs and dews of the night. For some time, our ad- 
miration of the scenery was kept in lively exercise by the ever- 
varying loveliness of the country. The only drawback to the 
pleasure of new comers, is the apparent danger of travelling: the 
roads being narrow, steep, winding, and crumbling. It is no uncom- 
mon occurrence, that the soil gives way under the feet of the horse, 
just over a dangerous declivity, in which case both horse and rider 
must just save themselves as they can ! 

The dwellers in this vale were first visited by the ambassadors of 
Christ through the entreaties of some of the inhabitants, who used 
to travel to Kingston to listen to the glorious Gospel of the blessed 
God, at Coke Chapel. Having " tasted the good word of God, and 
the powers of the world to come," they thought of their perishing 
friends and neighbours who knew not the Lord, and besought the 
missionaries to " come up and help them." In 1815, they could 



150 



GRATEFUL, HILL. 



take up the joyous language of Isaiah, " How beautiful upon the 
mountains are the feet of him that bringeth good tidings, that pub- 
lished peace, and bringeth good tidings of good, that publisheth 
salvation." They were visited, and two small societies formed, one 
at Grateful Hill, and the other at Unity, a distance of about four 
miles. The year following, the missionaries observed : "Though the 
societies are small, yet we have cause to believe that they (the 
members) are truly pious, and earnestly contending for the faith 
once delivered to the saints ; and, had they been favoured with the 
constant labours of a missionary, doubtless, their increase would 
have been considerable." 

A piece of ground having been given by one of the members, Mr, 
S. Rogers, at Grateful Hill, a chapel was erected, and opened in 
January, 1818, which gave an impulse to the good work. The con- 
gregations became large, serious, and attentive, and evidences of 
genuine piety appeared among the people, while several new open- 
ings presented themselves. Mr. Hudson, who was stationed here 
in 1819, thus expressed his circumstances and feelings : " I thank 
God, his hand has been with me. Though in the solitary moun- 
tains, I find the consoling and supporting presence of the Lord. 1 
am happy to be where God would have me be, and would rather be 
an humble missionary, calling sinners to salvation, with one meal 
a- day, than in any other station. I feel my heart in the work, and 
I am sure that work is of God, from the wonderful effects produced 
on the minds of the poor negroes. We have a beautiful little chapel 
on Grateful Hill. O, how would you and the dear people at home 
be affected to see the negroes coming over the hills for miles on the 
Lord's day, making the woods resound with the praises of God. 
On the Lord's day our chapel is crowded with attentive people : 
they seem as if they would eat the word. We have had an increase 
of seventy souls in eight weeks, and still the prospect brightens. I 
have had the pleasure of seeing many die happy in the love of 
Christ. Thanks be unto God, who maketh us to triumph, and 
spreadeth by us the savour of his knowledge in every place." 

A growing concern about Divine things appeared among the 
people, many of whom came from great distances to hear the word 
of life, which gave great encouragement to the brethren to go for- 
ward in the prosecution of their important work. About two years 
after this, the prospects of the station still continued to brighten. 
Many of the proprietors and overseers of the neighbouring estates, 
on witnessing the effects of Christian instruction on their slaves, 
were constrained to confess that its tendency was to make them 
far better servants ; and also, that masters ought to feel an interest 
in promoting, rather than hindering, the labours of the missionaries. 
The increasing seriousness of the hearers, and the earnest enquiries 
which many made after instruction, inspired the hope that God 
would give his blessing to the instituted means of grace, and that, 
with the increasing attendance, great good would be done. At this 



GRATEFUL HILL. 



151 



time there were 479 members in the Society. From the peculiar 
circumstances of the people, it was found difficult to raise an effi- 
cient Sabbath-school. Still, among those who did attend, there was 
a spirit of emulation shown in seeking acquaintance with the word 
of God. They were " storing their memories with selections from 
the sacred Scriptures, and from hymns ; while great pains were 
taken to instil into their minds, by catechetical instructions and 
familiar remarks, the first principles of the religion of Christ." 

In 1823, in consequence of the increasing congregation, Grateful 
Hill Chapel became far too small, which prevented the growth of 
the Society. At Unity, the members increased to 203, most of 
whom showed a spirit and conduct consistent with their Christian 
profession. The openings on the properties around the neighbour- 
hood were many, and some cases were of a very pressing nature. 
Most were anxious to obtain the benefits of missionary instruction. 
Magistrates and managers were not only favourable, but lent such 
assistance as they could to the missionaries, in order to carry out 
their plans of usefulness. 

On the 18th of October, the first missionary meeting was held at 
Grateful Hill, an account of which was given by Mr. Young, who was 
stationed at Stoney Hill at the time. His notice of this interesting 
circumstance is as follows : — " A Branch Missionary Society was 
formed this evening at Grateful Hill. The Rev. Mr. Ratcliffe was 
called to the chair on the occasion, and the meeting was addressed 
by the Rev. Messrs. Binning and Barry, and also by Mr. S. Rogers 
and others. The chapel was so crowded that several were prevented 
from getting in; but many of the negroes being most desirous of 
hearing, climbed upon the roof, which, being under repair, afforded 
them several peep-holes, through which they could see the speakers. 
The scene was, therefore, as novel as it was interesting ; for eyes 
darted through every aperture, and human countenances supplied 
the place of covering to the roof, which were sad or enlivened ac- 
cording to the subject of the speaker. Mr. S. Rogers, in address- 
ing the meeting, observed that the missionary cause ought to be 
supported by the people of Grateful Hill, as to that cause they owed 
their very all ; being miserable, ragged, and without hope, before 
missionaries came among them ; but, since these men had come, 
they were happy, improved, and had a blessed hope of heaven. He 
then said, ' Grateful Hill Society, who sent these servants of God 
to us ? We did not collect money and send to England for them : 
— No ; but they were sent by Christians in that far country, who 
beheld us in a state of great wretchedness, who pitied us and sent 
us help. We ought, therefore, to consider that, as we have so freely 
received, we ought as freely to give, — that the same blessings may 
be sent to other heathens which have been sent to us/ The collec- 
tion amounted to £5, and the sum of £40 was immediately entered 
upon the list of subscriptions, and much more would have been 
obtained, had the people not so very lately subscribed towards the 



152 



GRATEFUL HILL. 



enlargement of the chapel. I am fully convinced that missionary 
meetings in this country are of great importance, inasmuch as they 
not only secure a hearty co-operation with the Parent Society, but 
give much information which our people could not obtain through 
any other medium, which tends greatly to raise the tone of Chris- 
tian feeling among them." 

Concern for the salvation of those who are destitute of the Gos- 
pel, is one of the most pleasing indications that its influence has 
been felt in the soul. Sound conversion generates the missionary 
spirit ; hence the interest taken in the missionary enterprise by all 
whose hearts have been touched with sympathy for the miseries of 
a sinful and perishing world ; and the happy reaction of such 
views and efforts on the piety and happiness of those who heartily 
do what they can to make the Saviour known. Such was the case 
with the people at Grateful Hill. The year following this meeting, 
it was stated : — " The congregation and Society are rapidly increas- 
ing at this place ; and the members appear not only to feel a more 
lively interest in the extension of religion, but to grow in grace. 
The influence of which has extended to the inhabitants in general, 
so much so that many respectable inhabitants, unconnected with our 
Society, acknowledge the greatness of the moral change in this 
part of the country ; while at Unity, both the congregation and 
the society advanced in numbers and the conduct of the members, 
with few exceptions, was consistent with their profession. A 
new station was taken up at Highgate, which gave encouragement 
to the missionaries. Throughout the circuit, the members amounted 
to 740, of whom six were whites, 138 free persons of colour, and 
596 slaves. 

The same cheering success attended the preaching of the word 
throughout the next year. At Unity, a most gracious influence 
pervaded the society, and the prospect of an increase of members 
was never more pleasing. The chapel was enlarged, and put in a 
state of repair, which afforded accommodation to many who were 
anxious to attend. In addition to Highgate, Port Maria Bay was 
taken in by Mr. Whitehouse, who was in labours more abundant: 
travelling in every direction, and entering into every open door that 
presented itself, so far as his time and strength enabled him. Early 
in the year, the Sabbath-school was re-established at Grateful Hill; 
however, the progress of the scholars was retarded from want of a 
proper supply of suitable elementary books, which lack was in some 
measure met by a gift of some from " The Ladies' Society for the 
encouragement of the Education of Negro Children, and Children 
of Free Persons of Colour in the West Indies," of which society the 
Duchess of Beaufort was patroness. To which were added some 
from friends in the Dudley and Wednesbury Circuits. Mr. and 
Mrs. Whitehouse also taught a day-school on Mondays and 
Thursdays — the progress of the children gave great encourage- 
ment. At Unity, similar exertions were made to meet the mental, 



GRATEFUL HILL. 



153 



moral, and religious wants of the young. A lady, a member of the 
Society, opened a day-school, and received as many as choose to 
come for instruction, without any charge, whether they were chil- 
dren or adults — the only condition imposed was a desire to receive 
instruction. 

In 1827, through some circumstances, the state of the Society 
was not so satisfactory ; among which, long continued rains were 
mentioned as operating unfavourably on the people, who were kept 
away from the means of grace. An adult class for reading the 
word of God gave great satisfaction : some of these pupils evinced 
a degree of ability to read and understand the sacred volume highly 
creditable to themselves. The prevalence of fever, after the cessa- 
tion of the long-continued and heavy rains, detained many from the 
chapel during the early months of the following year. And through 
the ravages of death among the missionaries at some of the stations, 
the missionary could be with the people only occasionally on the 
Lord's-day, being called away to supply the places of deceased 
brethren, and leave Grateful Hill to be attended to by two local 
preachers, who diligently did what they could to supply his lack of 
service. At Unity, where the work had been checked, (i God was 
pleased to revive true piety among the members. A number were 
added, who gave promise of doing well. A spirit of hearing was 
manifest, and the congregations became larger than ever they had 
been." At the close of 1829, it was observed of Grateful Hill : — 
That in the course of the past year, the Society had not been 
visited with any particular revival, but many of the members had 
grown in grace, and in the knowledge of our Lord and Saviour Jesus 
Christ ; six members had died ; seven had been removed to other 
parts of the island ; several had backslidden, still, forty new mem- 
bers had been received. While at Unity, the Society advanced in 
experimental and practical holiness, and the congregations con- 
tinued large. The attendance of the children at the Sabbath- 
schools was much interrupted by continued rains ; but this has ever 
been the case in this locality, when the rains are very abundant, 
and render travelling a difficult matter. 

The chapel at Unity having fallen into a most dilapidated state, 
the congregations, during the rainy seasons, were miserably cir- 
cumstanced from exposure to the weather, which led them to exert 
themselves in order to erect a new one. One of the friends gave 
a piece of ground at Fern Hill, not far from the old chapel, and, 
after considerable effort, a neat frame building was put up, capable 
of accommodating about 300 hearers. Scarcely had this been 
accomplished when the insurrection broke out ; and, though no 
symptoms of rebellion appeared among the slaves located on the 
estates in the vale, a general fear and suspicion took possession of 
every mind, and for a while affected the working of the mission. 
Mr. Edney, who was stationed here at the time, had the satisfac- 
tion of stating in January, only about a fortnight after the insur- 

T 



154 



GRATEFUL HILL. 



rection commenced, that, in the Societies throughout the circuit, 
" there was not a single negro who was not steadily engaged at 
his owner s work." " Such," he exclaimed, u is the influence of 
the grace of God on this degraded race !" And he added, il It is 
stated in the ' Kingston Chronicle,' that no member of the Metho- 
dist Society, in the parishes where the rebellion has been the most 
painful, has been detected; and some of them have even perished 
in the flames while striving to save their master's property from the 
general destruction." 

During the latter half of the year previous to the insurrection, 
the people in the vale had suffered much from scarcity of food, and 
a fatal epidemic by which many were cut off. Still the work of 
God advanced ; the public services were well attended, and the 
number of members greatly increased. And though there was 
peace throughout the vale, both during and after the rebellion, an 
attempt was made one night by a party of whites to destroy Grate- 
ful Hill Chapel. The mission family happened to be from home, 
but Mr. S. Rogers and his wife were in the mission house, in order 
to take care of the premises. One night Mr. R. was awakened 
by a strange noise, on which he awoke Mrs. R., — both listened, still 
the noise continued, as if some one were working with a saw at one 
of the chapel windows. At last he arose, seized his musket, and 
called out i( Who is there ?" at the same time rushing towards the 
spot from which the noise came. He opened a door, and sprang to 
the brow of the hill, discharged his piece, the parties instantly dis- 
appeared, and no further attempt was made to injure the building. 
After this incident, parties were formed to guard the premises, who 
were to be ready to muster at the sound of a shell, which was to be 
blown when any danger was threatened. 

One night, the party appointed to guard being rather late in 
coming, and Mrs. Curtis, the wife of one of the missionaries, being 
alone, she felt uneasy, and took up the shell to try whether she 
could sound it, in case of necessity ; and so effectually did she suc- 
ceed, that the alarm was heard by the expected party, who in- 
stantly seized their arms, and rushed towards the chapel, expecting 
to have a mortal combat with the " Colonial Church Unionists," in 
defence of their house of prayer ; but the ferment subsided as soon 
as Mrs. C. gave an account of her essay of blowing the shell ! In 
the course of this eventful year, fourteen of the oldest members 
of the Society finished their pilgrimage — all of whom gave evidence 
that they " died in the Lord.' ' Several of them, as death approached, 
were enabled to triumph in a most blessed manner/ giving pleasing 
proofs that they had not received the grace of God in vain/' 
Thirty-four new members were added, after filling up the places of 
such as removed to other stations, or left the Society to return to 
the world. Many of the members at Unity were kept from the public 
services by their managers ; and the many engagements of the mis- 
sionary prevented him from giving sufficient attention to the Society 



GRATEFUL HILL. 



155 



on the Lord's-day, which operated very injuriously on the spiritual 
state of the people. A new station at Guy's Hill, about twenty- 
six miles distant, called for special attention, and took up much of 
of the missionary's time. 

During Mr. Wedlock's appointment to this circuit, the Lord put 
his seal to his labours. In June, 1833, he wrote — "The Lord is 
beginning to revive his work in our midst. Blessed be his holy 
name for ever ! Last evening we had such a visitation as will not 
soon be forgotten. It was our missionary prayer meeting. I read 
some of the cheering intelligence contained in our May magazine, 
and afterwards made a few remarks, and urged the people to look 
for salvation by faith just now. I felt liberty and power in speak- 
ing, and then engaged in prayer, and was blest with much enlarge- 
ment. Brother R. now prayed. I then called upon those who felt 
their need of pardon to pray for themselves. Two poor slaves suc- 
cessively engaged in prayer. They prayed with fervency and 
much good sense, and the Lord blessed them there. My soul was 
so filled with gratitude to God for what I now saw and heard, and 
especially for hearing and answering the prayers which I have been 
offering up for this people during the last eventful year." Mr. W. 
and Mr. R. followed each other in prayer, and, in closing, he 
directed the people, many of whom were slaves, to go home quietly 
and thankfully. He adds — " I think, taking those and other signs 
of the times into the account, that the Lord will speedily visit the 
Jamaica mission in a most blessed manner ; that our Societies will 
rise and flourish ; our chapels will be rebuilt, and many sinners will 
be converted to God. He closed his report of the state of the mis- 
sion at the end of the year thus — " At Grateful Hill our congrega- 
tions are generally good, and a blessed influence has been frequently 
felt during the year. The Society, in general, is obviously advanc- 
ing in spiritual knowledge and true piety. In the course of the 
year twelve of our members have been removed into the eternal 
world. ' We have hope in their death/ Two of the number had 
been steady members of the Society for above ten years, and who, 
though slaves, eminently adorned their profession, and died in a most 
triumphant manner." 

The writer succeeded Mr. Wedlock at this interesting station, on 
the first Sabbath after his arrival. The chapel was not only crowded, 
but numbers were compelled to stand listening at the windows and 
doors outside. Deep attention and solemn feeling marked the con- 
gregation. Finding that, since the October rains set in, there had 
been no Sunday-school work going on, he preached on the Thurs- 
day evening following, expressly on the religious education of the 
young. The chapel was filled, and, after the service, a committee 
and teachers were appointed, and a plan fixed on for reorganizing 
the school, which soon presented the animating spectacle of more 
than a hundred scholars, under the care of a proportionate number 
of teachers plying their tasks, and progressing in the knowledge of 



156 



GRATEFUL HILL. 



our catechisms and the word of God. At Unity, the Society was 
in a miserable state, owing to the missionary not being able to give 
more than one Sabbath-day's labour out of four. The effect on the 
spiritual state of the people was most discouraging. In April, 
symptoms of revived feeling appeared. From a sermon preached 
from " So run that ye may obtain," many seemed excited to arise and 
run. A love feast was held in the afternoon, which was declared to 
be the most animated known for a long season by the people. In 
visiting this station, he called at Mount Charles, the Baptist mission 
station near by, and made acquaintance with Mr. Whitehorne, the 
missionary, — a man of most upright, devout, and conscientious 
character, who had been bred to the law, but felt called to relinquish 
that, in order to preach the glorious gospel. His piety rendered 
him a catholic Christian, of gentlemanly and agreeable manners. 

In these magnificent mountains, lightning is a striking and inte- 
resting phenomenon. Almost every night, sheet-lightning is seen 
playing on the tops and between the mountains, as if beacon fires 
were suddenly kindled and extinguished. On the evening of the 
22d of April, 1834, a sublime spectacle presented itself. The moon 
shone in the zenith clear and full, in a deep azure sky, slightly 
mottled by a few fleecy clouds, while the mountain range, towards 
the E.N.E. was enveloped in a large dark grey cloud, out of which 
forked lightning shot with great rapidity, gleaming with the bril- 
liancy of sunbeams reflected from polished steel. The corruscations 
assumed every form peculiar to this formidable element. At inter- 
vals, the whole cloud became illuminated as if one body of fire, — 
meanwhile the hoarse thunder pealed and murmured through the 
distant mountains, dying away amidst the solemn stillness that per- 
vaded the whole scene above and around beyond the range of this 
electric display. While gazing, an awful feeling of veneration of 
the Divine majesty stole over the soul, humbling it to the dust in 
the presence of Him who seeth under the whole heavens " to make 
the weight for the winds, a decree for the rain, and a way for the 
lightning of the thunder." 

A few weeks after this, the writer became experimentally ac- 
quainted with the effects of the heavy rains which fall in these 
mountains on the working of the mission. The May season rains 
having kept him six weeks from holding any meeting of the leaders 
at Unity, he set out on the 1 1th of June for the purpose of visiting 
them, under apparently favourable circumstances. As soon as the 
business was over, he commenced his ride of four short miles home- 
ward ; but, ere he got five hundred yards on his way, the rain sud- 
denly began, and poured in streams, which instantly drenched him. 
To turn back was useless, having no change of clothes : to sit the 
horse in the narrow path was exceedingly hazardous, as it was 
rapidly crumbling from under the horse's feet. Having dismounted, 
in order to lead him down the hill, an aged slave came up, and 
seeing his difficulty, kindly offered to take the horse and pilot, him 



GRATEFUL HILL. 



157 



to the river side. He soon lost sight of both his guide and the beast, 
and followed as he was able, sliding, splashing, and wading through 
water, mud, brushwood, and over stumps of lately-felled trees, till, 
almost breathless, he overtook them at the ford of the river, which 
was every moment becoming more deep, rapid, and dangerous to 
cross. He offered the negro a tenpenny (i. e., sixpence sterling) for 
his kindness, but he refused — half the sum was then presented, but the 
venerable son of Ham exclaimed, " No, me dear Massa," and point- 
ing towards heaven with a smile indicative of the Christian hope, he 
added, " My Jesus, him pay me. God bless me dear Massa, and take 
good care o im" He then took the bridle firmly with one hand, and 
grasping the horse's mane with the other, told Massa to " sit tiff, an 
no be /raid," he resolutely dragged the frightened beast into the fu- 
rious stream, and safely reached the opposite bank with his charge. 
Deeply touched with the generous sentiments and conduct of this 
aged man, who stood for a while up to the waist in the river, pour- 
ing forth expressions of goodwill, and earnest wishes for " Massa's" 
safe arrival at home, the writer bade him farewell. Is this a slave, 
one who is denied the attributes, and deprived of the natural and 
social privileges of a man and a brother, insulted, neglected, ma- 
ligned, and degraded, because his skin is black, were the momentary 
reflections suggested to the writer as he contrasted his temper and 
conduct with those of many who pass for enlightened professors of 
that religion which teaches that God hath made of one blood all 
nations of men, to dwell on all the face of the earth, and is no re- 
specter of persons. If missionaries feel a deeper interest in the 
sons of injured Africa than any other class of men, it is because in- 
cidents like this have created the interest : they have seen in them 
those traits of character that endear one human being to another. 

As the day of freedom approached, every mind was directed to- 
wards it, with feelings excited by the respective interests involved 
in emancipation. The Lord's Day preceding the first of August, 
the writer was closely engaged for seven hours and a-half in preach- 
ing, and examining the scholars, in order to select such as had a 
claim to receive the gift-book of the British and Foreign Bible So- 
ciety. The wished-for day at length arrived : three hours before 
the usual time of morning service, groups of well-attired negroes 
began to wend their way through the mountain passes towards the 
house of God, which was soon crowded and surrounded. The scene 
was exciting; every countenance was expressive of deep emotion. 
From 1 Peter ii. 17, the enfranchised slaves were directed to a 
proper use of their newly-acquired privileges. For above an hour, 
every ear was attent, and every eye fixed ; no sign of listlessness 
appeared in any face in the crowded assembly. The appearance 
and conduct of all excited the admiration of the intelligent free per- 
sons who were present on the occasion. At the close of the service, 
several young persons came forward, earnestly imploring that they 
might be taught to read the Word of God. The following Lord's 



158 



GRATEFUL HILL. 



Day presented numerous scenes and incidents deeply interesting. 
The morning was clear, not a breath of air disturbed a leaf of the 
gorgeous foliage of the mountains, which seemed to assume an un- 
wonted loveliness, as if arrayed for the festive occasion in nature's 
richest hues. As the writer rode to Unity by the main road, no 
vestige of secularity was to be seen. No travellers on their way to 
the Sunday market were anywhere in view. The provision-grounds, 
which used to be diligently cultivated on this sacred day, were de- 
serted, and the beasts of burden were ranging undisturbed on the 
pastures, or by the way-side. Every inhabitant seen was repairing 
to some place of worship to acknowledge the Divine hand in the 
great change they were called to celebrate. On reaching the chapel, 
he found some difficulty in making his way to the pulpit, as the con- 
gregation crowded the building within and without, till, in a short 
time, the pulpit steps, and within the communion vail, were 
crammed. 

The conduct of the people was exemplary. The number of com- 
municants who celebrated the dying love of the Redeemer was 
larger than on any former occasion. 

At Grateful Hill, sixty-four scholars were added to the Sunday- 
school, making a total of two hundred. On the following Lord's 
Day, the congregation was as large as on the day of the celebration 
of freedom, and the number who appeared at the Lord's Table very 
numerous. 

The missionary spirit formerly manifested among the people ga- 
thered a fresh impulse from the change in the circumstances of the 
people. A week or two before emancipation took place, one of the 
members called at the mission- house with eighteen shillings and 
fourpence, as a contribution to the mission fund, to aid in sending 
missionaries to Africa. He was a slave, and the sum was made up 
of the small contributions of his fellow-bondmen. It was the first 
contribution towards the mission fund I ever received from a slave, 
and also the last. As I knew him to be distinguished for the con- 
sistency of his conduct, and the sincerity of his piety, I received it 
with satisfaction. 

On the 26th, a public missionary meeting took place, probably 
the first held in the island, if not in the West Indies, since the 
people were delivered from bondage. Mr. Corlett occupied the 
chair, and Messrs. Burrows, Bird, and Wilcox addressed the meet- 
ing. A lively interest was taken in the object of the meeting by 
the people, who contributed liberally. The collection and subscrip- 
tions amounted to more than twenty-nine pounds sterling. And, 
though most of those present had many miles to travel, through 
miserable paths, they continued listening with evident delight to the 
things spoken till near ten o'clock, p.m., and departed to their homes 
with joy, though the night was exceedingly dark, dreary, and 
damp. 

About two o'clock in the morning of the Lord's Day, on the 7th 



GRATEFUL HILL. 



159 



of September, the mountains were shaken by an earthquake. The 
shock instantly awoke the writer from a sound sleep. The mission 
premises trembled, and seemed to bend in a westerly direction; 
every timber creaked, like those of a ship when strained in a swell, 
under a press of canvas. The sensation was appalling ; he sprung 
out of bed, and endeavoured to open the door of the apartment, but 
being thrown out of the perpendicular, it was fast jammed, but 
opened of its own accord as soon as the building was thrown back 
to its original position. Part of a piazza in front of the house of 
one of our people, on a neighbouring hill, was shaken down. In 
consequence of the terror inspired, the chapel was crowded, and 
numbers, unable to get within, remained listening most attentively 
outside. An unusual unction attended all the services of the day, 
and the number of communicants was much larger than had ever 
been witnessed at this station. How lamentable that, unless some- 
thing extraordinary happen, sinners sleep on till they perish in their 
sins ! Several concussions were felt after this during the latter quarter 
of the year, particularly on the 26th, 27th, 28th, and 29th of Oc- 
tober. The first of these occurred at half-past two o'clock on the 
Sabbath morning, which again brought numbers to the house of 
God, who rarely had a thought about their latter end. About the 
middle of the following day, the rain fell in torrents, after which the 
vale became enveloped in white mist. Towards the east, thick, 
dark, rolling clouds covered the tops of the mountains, and the sky 
in the south and west was streaked with a fiery red. About half- 
past seven o'clock, the vale was again shaken with two successive 
shocks of earthquake, which were followed by other two about mid- 
night, and again by another on the following night. Yet, through 
the mercy of Him who is long-suffering to us-ward, not willing that 
any should perish, no lives were lost. Oh ! that men were wise to 
consider the things that belong to their peace, and lend an atten- 
tive ear when the God of glory thundereth, whose voice thus shakes 
the earth, and will, ere long, shake not the earth only, but also 
heaven. 

Early in 1835, the writer was requested to visit a part of the 
vale, distant about six miles to the south-west of Grateful Hill, 
where many small free settlers, some of whom were French, were 
located, but for whose spiritual wants no provision was made, till 
some of our local preachers were induced by one of our members 
residing there to pay them a weekly visit. 

The effects of the Gospel were delightfully exhibited in the family 
at whose house the service was held. The father, mother, and some 
of the children had been slaves on a neighbouring estate, till the 
parents heard the Gospel preached at Grateful Hill. Their minds 
were enlightened to see that they were living in a state of sin ; both 
became true penitents, got legally married, and sought salvation 
through faith in the atonement of the Redeemer. Anxious to keep 
the Sabbath holy, they strove hard to save money from the sale of 



160 



GRATEFUL HILL. 



the produce of their provision ground, in order to purchase their 
freedom. Through extraordinary exertion and patience, they ef- 
fected this object. They purchased a few acres of land, and having 
erected a cottage, diligently cultivated their little estate, and got into 
decent circumstances. On arriving at the tiny settlement of this 
worthy man, the writer was struck with the neatness and order of 
everything about it. 

The cottage, though small, was equal to the requirements of the 
family, and as clean and tidy as anything of the kind could possibly 
be. Barbecues, or plastered terraces, for drying the coffee berries and 
corn were in front, with a small storehouse erected close by, for laying 
up the produce of the grounds, under which was a stable for a pony 
and a donkey ; while, in the grounds around, coffee, cocoas, plan- 
tains, yams, guinea grass, and a variety of vegetables, indicated 
that idleness was no characteristic of this well ordered negro family. 
At each subsequent visit the attendance increased, and some were 
favourably impressed, and led to attend Grateful Hill Chapel. 
From the state of the weather, it was sometimes necessary for the 
writer to stay through the night. On one of these occasions, he was 
awakened about three o'clock in the morning by some one speaking ; 
on listening he found that it was Mrs. Richards, the mother of the 
family, pouring out her soul in fervent supplication to the hearer of 
prayer for her family, her minister, the church, her neighbours, and 
the unconverted world ! For a considerable time she continued her 
address to the throne of grace, in language indicating acquaintance 
with the great truths of the Gospel — her own spiritual state, and 
that of those around her. Simplicity, fervour, and faith were impres- 
sively prominent. The darkness and stillness of the night added 
to the effect of this scene of early devotion. The appearance of 
this family at the house of God on Sabbath-days was delightful. 
Both parents were tall, athletic, well formed negroes, and their six 
boys very like themselves. They were always in good time at the 
services, though they had six miles to walk. The sons were taught 
to read, and always carried their bibles and hymn-books to the 
chapel. The father of the family became chapel steward, and dis- 
charged the duties of this office, and that of class leader, with great 
fidelity and consistency. 

While many were rendered happy through the influence of reli- 
gion, others continued to harden themselves in their sins, till they 
miserably perished in their impenitence. On the 17th of February, 
1835, one of our members died, and was buried: no doubt she was 
taken away from the evil to come. She had a son of a desperate 
character, who pursued a course of vice till he became an outlaw : 
by him the laws of both God and man were alike disregarded. For 
a long period he had refused to do militia duty, and dared any man 
to attempt to compel him, threatening to shoot the first that should 
be sent to apprehend him. Only three days after his mother was 
laid in the grave, a party of militia was sent to conduct him to 



GRATEFUL HILL. 



161 



prison. As soon as they reached the house, this desperate man 
seized a stone jar and foundered the serjeant ; he then attempted to 
choke him, but was taken off by the two privates ; on which he 
sprang to seize a double-barrelled gun in order to shoot them, but, 
ere he reached it, they fired, and shot him dead ! Such was the 
miserable end of this lawless man, whose wickedness had just 
brought down the grey hairs of his afflicted mother with sorrow to 
the grave. 

The prosperity which attended the labours of the missionaries in 
all parts of the island, was shared by the Grateful Hill circuit. In 
the month of March, it was found that, after filling up the vacancies 
arising from deaths, removals, and expulsions, there was an addition 
of fifty-two members on the number returned in 1834. The con- 
gregations were large, regular, and attentive : every sitting in the 
chapel was let, except those reserved for the poor. The general 
contributions were increased : the conduct of the people was consis- 
tent, and the Lord's-day was observed with great attention. The 
chapel, which had fallen into a state of dangerous decay, was put in 
a state of complete repair ; two sides of the walls were rebuilt, and 
stone substituted for wood ; the floor was laid with planks, instead 
of crumbling tiles ; several new pews were put up, and such im- 
provements made as were practicable, still it continued much too 
small for the accommodation of those who were anxious to attend. 

The proprietor of Montrose estate, in the parish of St. Mary, 
about ten miles off, where there were nearly two hundred appren- 
tices, wrote to his overseer to invite the missionaries to visit the 
property, and preach to the people, who were exceedingly destitute 
of religious means. The writer took an early opportunity of going, 
and, on his arrival, he soon found a congregation which filled the hall 
and piazza of the Great House, among whom were four overseers. 
He regretted that such an opening could not be followed up, on 
account of the work in which he was already engaged. The people 
were anxious to listen to the glorious Gospel that they might be 
saved On every side such openings presented themselves; but 
though the harvest was great, the labourers were very few. At 
Lewisburgh estate, having nearly 300 apprentices, a similar invita- 
tion led the writer to visit and preach to the people ; still his regu- 
lar engagements were too much for his time and strength to admit 
of entering fully into such pleasing fields of usefulness. 

The Religious Tract Society of London came forward to express 
its sympathy with the newly emancipated slaves. The Committee 
nobly voted a very large supply of their excellent publications, in 
order to form libraries at the several mission stations. Small re- 
ward books, tracts, and broadsheets, were distributed to the most 
deserving, as far they would go, which excited great interest. 
About a week afterwards, on visiting Water Vale, the writer found 
the broadsheets tastefully distributed on the walls of Richards' cot- 
tage which had been newly whitewashed, both inside and out, pre- 

u 



162 



GRATEFUL HILL. 



viously to fixing them up. His six boys were diligently reading 
them to their parents and neighbours, who were not a little de- 
lighted with having such ornaments wherewith to decorate their 
humble dwelling. The sight of so much literature greatly increased 
the spirit of emulation among the apprentices with regard to learning 
to read. At shell blow (fe e,, breakfast or dinner time), groups 
might be seen in the fields, or under the trees, struggling to com- 
prehend the mysteries of the alphabet, short syllables, or sentences. 

On receiving an acknowledgment of the safe arrival of the above 
supply, the Committee generously sent some more, in order to sa- 
tisfy such as considered themselves under the displeasure of the 
missionary, from the circumstance of their not having received any 
of the publications. 

At this time, Mr. Whitehorne, along with his brother-in-law, Dr. 
Prince, called at Grateful Hill, and spent some time in agreeable 
Christian conversation, at the close of which the Doctor, who was 
one of the audience at Unity Chapel on the previous Sabbath, pre- 
sented two pounds, remarking that the sermon on that occasion con- 
strained him to do something towards spreading the knowledge of 
the Bible ; the nature of which had been set forth in the discourse. 
His name was not to be entered in the report, but, instead of it, 
" A Baptist, £2." All the subsequent intercourse between the 
writer and these Baptist friends only tended to confirm his esteem 
and affection for them. The Doctor has for several years been 
labouring in Western Africa, along with Mr. John Clarke, as an 
agent of the Baptist Missionary Society. The writer feels con- 
strained to state that, however his sentiments on many points of 
religion and politics might differ from those entertained by his Bap- 
tist brethren, he does not remember a single instance of personal 
intercourse he had with any of them, that he has not recalled with 
pleasure. 

On visiting Lewisburgh estate the day after the above agreeable 
visit, the writer was informed by Mr. Lindop, the overseer, that 
the people were neglecting the estate's work. At the close of a 
discourse from Acts xxii. 30, 31, he mentioned the painful informa- 
tion given him, and assured them that should they neglect their 
work, they must not expect to see or hear him again at Lewis- 
burgh. Some spoke for the rest, and promised amendment. About 
the middle of the service, a white man entered and looked mortified 
and indignant at findiug the great house crowded with the people, 
and a religious service going on. He walked to and fro, as if to 
hide his chagrin. However, this did not prevent a good feeling and 
gracious influence among the attentive part of the audience. 

At the end of the service, Mr. L. invited the writer to take lunch, 
(or, as it is termed in Jamaica, second breakfast), with him. Having 
come ten miles, and having as far to return, he accepted the invita- 
tion. Meanwhile the rude stranger accosted Mr. L. in the style 
characteristic of a low-bred book-keeper, at the same time eyeing the 



GRATEFUL HILL. 



163 



missionary with an air of suspicious malignant disdain. Mr. L. 
coolly desired him to partake of what was on the table. Scarcely 
was he seated when he began an attack on the missionary by re- 
marking to Mr. L., " This preaching must hinder the work of the 
estate " The people are not fit to be instructed ; they don't under- 
stand anything that has been said to them." Mr. L. replied, " What 
was said was too plain for them not to understand it." Turning 
from Mr. L. to the missionary, he said, " You had no business to 
tell the people that they were to have all the time to themselves in 
a few years. They are expected just now to rebel, and what you 
said is dangerous, and will lead them to it " You had no business 
to say anything to them ;" <f You know nothing about the Bible ; it 
is too deep a book for either you or me to understand, and the 
negroes can never know anything about it. You only lead them into 
dangerous whims." It was replied : — " The way of salvation is so 
plain that the wayfaring man, though a fool, need not err with re- 
gard to it." Kindling into rage, he exclaimed, " You know just 
nothing about it." Taking his Maker's name in vain, he asked, with 
an air of defiance, " Which was the first religion ?" The mission- 
ary, looking him full in the face, said, " Sir, I fear God." " Ah ! 
but you don't regard the king," was the retort. " Yes, I do both," 
replied the missionary, who began to feel a little excited. Nothing 
abashed, he was about to get into a rage and pour out rude abuse, 
when Mr. L. called him to order, telling him that he would not 
allow such conduct at his table. He was struck dumb, and re- 
mained in sullen silence till he departed. When he departed, Mr. L. 
observed that he had never seen the man in his life before ; and begged 
that, so long as he found no fault, no notice should be taken, adding, 
that if such preaching did the people no good, he knew of nothing 
that would. It is due to Mr. L. to observe, that his conduct was 
gentlemanly and courteous. No doubt the unhappy man expected to 
ingratiate himself with his host by such a display of ill-breeding 
and impiety, but the day was past for such conduct finding a patron 
and a reward ! 

An apprehension that as soon as the people were fully emanci- 
pated they would be tempted to follow the example of those free 
persons who indulged freely in the use of distilled liquors, induced 
the writer to form a temperance society. On the 19th of July, he 
preached on the subject of temperance from 1 Pet. v. 8. The so- 
ciety steward, chapel steward, eighteen leaders, and ninety-one of 
the members immediately signed a pledge " to abstain from the use 
of spirituous liquors, except when necessary as medicine." Several 
of the missionaries entered into the movement. Sermons were 
preached, public meetings held at Grateful Hill, Mount Charles, 
Stoney Hill, Scott's Hall, and Kingston. By the use of the public 
press, the distribution of tracts, and personal conversation, great 
numbers were led to take an interest in it ; so that, by the middle of 
October, between six and seven hundred were enrolled as members. 



164 



GRATEFUL HILL. 



At Scott's Hall, Mr. Livingstone, the superintendent of the Ma- 
roons, took the chair at the public meeting, and became a member : 
about twenty joined at the same time. On the 30th of November, 
Stoney Hill Chapel was crowded, and there was a large supply of 
speakers, among whom were Messrs. Whitehorne, Edney, Curtis, 
and Harding. A few white gentlemen, and a half-intoxicated copper- 
smith, a Welshman, endeavoured to disturb the meeting, but after 
a little noise and confusion, they were fairly driven out by the 
cutting reproofs of one of the speakers. The coppersmith declared 
that his craft was in danger by such meetings, as he made his living 
by fitting up distillery apparatus on the estates : on which one re- 
marked, that he might turn his hand to the manufacture of copper 
tea-kettles, and cooking utensils. 

During the sittings of the Annual District Meeting, a large public 
meeting was held in Wesley Chapel, Kingston, at which several 
persons of various denominations were present : clergymen, Baptists 
and Wesleyans, united with several respectable laymen, in forward- 
ing the object of the association. Fifteen of the Wesleyan mis- 
sionaries became members, whose object was to lend the influence 
of their example, in order to promote the welfare of the people. A 
vast amount of good was done. One case may be mentioned : — 
About a year after the writer had left St. Thomas-in-the-Vale, he 
paid a visit to his old flock, preached, and administered the sacra- 
ment. One of the communicants asked him "if Massa had forgotten 
him." He looked again and again, but could not recognize him, 
till his name, and something of his former history was related, which 
brought to his recollection that he was no other than T. M. About 
two years previously, as the owner of this man was superintending 
some negroes at work, he pointed to one of them, and said : " Do 
you see that man ? he is one of the greatest liars, thieves, and 
drunkards I ever met with — he is almost naked, his ground neglected, 
his house in ruins — I can make nothing of him." But now he was 
respectably attired in a suit of broadcloth, and his account of him- 
self was as follows — " Massa no member, how him preach about 
rum, an bid we no fu drink it ? Fra dat time, me Massa, me no 
touch it ; an now me hab good house fu lib in, good ground, good 
clothes pon me back, maccarroni in me pocket, and what is far mo, 
me Massa, me member in society, an feel quite tankful and happy, 
an so all come fra dat sarmon Massa preach pon rum drinking. Me 
bless me Saviour, Jesus, fu all him goodness to sichin a poo sinner 
as me." 

When the usual estate allowance of rum was offered at Christmas 
to the negroes, many of them begged sugar in place of it. The 
holidays passed off in great quietness — no sign of intemperance was 
to be seen around. 

The general state of the Society was greatly improved. The 
congregations continued large. Many were brought under deep 
concern about their salvation ; the members were quickened, and 



GRATEFUL HILL. 



165 



123 added to their number during the year, while a deepened con- 
cern for the salvation of the heathen was manifested by them ; so 
that, on leaving this mission at the end of 1835, the writer had great 
reason to bless the Lord that he had not been left without fruits of 
his labour. 

The missionary alluded to in the account of Kingston circuit as 
having excited a spirit of disaffection, and drawn away many disciples 
after him, succeeded the writer at Grateful Hill ; and here it was 
that he devised his scheme of agitation, and began to put it into exe- 
cution. To a lamentable extent he succeeded in poisoning the minds 
of the people against their ministers, and all who continued attached 
to them. The mischief done was painfully exhibited in divided 
families ; in the estrangement of long attached and affectionate 
friends; a spirit of jealousy, evil surmising, backbiting, and censo- 
riousness, among those who used to walk together to the house of 
God in company. A thatched house was erected within a stone's 
throw of the chapel, in which the alienated congregated to listen to 
the instructions of such preachers as their owu number could supply. 
The havoc made among the flock by these reformers, plainly showed 
that the tendency of their movements was not to peace, purity, unity, 
love, the glory of God, or the good of man. On visiting Grateful 
Hill, after the evil had been done, the writer found those who re- 
mained firm in an improved state of spirituality and devotedness to 
God, having been driven to the throne of grace for succour during 
this sifting season ; but, alas, their numbers were greatly reduced. 
However, this storm passed over. Many who had been carried 
away by partial, exaggerated, or false statements, soft words, and 
fair promises, gradually recovered their feet, and were restored to 
the privileges they had been led to throw away under feelings of 
irritation ; while those who had gone too far were entirely severed 
from their original Christian fellowship, and failed to realize the 
hopes they fondly cherished of placing themselves in improved 
circumstances, either temporal or spiritual, by their schemes of 
church reform. 

The reaction was rapid and extensive. When the writer visited 
the station only a few days before he left the island, he found Mr. 
Inglis labouring successfully, though, like all his brethren, over- 
burdened with work. The chapel had been considerably enlarged 
and improved, from what it was a few years before. A day-school 
had been added, which appears at the left of the view of the pre- 
mises, accompanying this account. At that time Stoney Hill was 
attached to it, from want of missionaries. There were three chapels, 
two day-schools with teachers, eight hundred and sixty-six mem- 
bers, two hundred and nineteen scholars, and nearly fifteen hundred 
regular hearers in the circuit. 



168 



CHAPTER XII. 

STONEY HILL. 

Situation of the station — Commencement of the mission by Mr. Young, and rapid 
progress — A chapel opened at Eedhills — Mr. Grimsdall — Mr. W. Wood — Mr o 
Bleby— Effects of persecution on the mission — Mr. Edney's prosperity — A 
new chapel built at Redhills — Death of Mr. Greenwood — Mr. Sergeant. 

Locality, rather than the period when the mission was commenced 
at Stoney Hill, requires that it should be noticed after Grateful 
Hill Station, as it lies about mid-way between it and Kingston, 
and has alternately been the head of a circuit, or attached as a 
minor station to the former or latter circuit, just as the increase or 
diminution of the number of missionaries in the island has altered 
its relation by regulating the amount of pastoral attention the 
brethren have been able to bestow upon it. It has been kept in a 
fluctuating state, not only from the frequent change or total want 
of missionaries, but also being considered a cool and healthy station, 
sickly brethren have been removed to it in hope of deriving benefit 
from the salubrity of the air. From its contiguity to Kingston, 
missionaries about to return to England have sometimes been sent 
to it to wait till a homeward-bound ship could be found for them. 
And to add to its disadvantages as a station, the influence of the 
military has usually been of a deleterious character ; and, if occa- 
sionally some soldiers have become members of the church, they 
have soon been removed, and their place supplied by those whose 
habits of sensuality and dissipation have spread moral pestilence 
through the neighbourhood. The scenery around is mountainous, 
except towards the south, where the plain of Liguanea, with King- 
ston, Fort- Augusta, Port Royal, and the Palisadoes in the distance, 
meet the eye, beyond which the Carribean Sea is seen stretching 
away to meet the southern horizon. The objects which give variety 
to the plain appear extremely small from the summit of the hill. 
Noble first-class merchant ships and vessels of war, which glide 
along under the gentle pressure of the trade wind, seem as diminu- 
tive as fishing-boats to the eye of the spectator. Towards the 
west, north, and east, there are ranges of lofty mountains, which, to 
a considerable extent, are under cultivation. Coffee, pimento, yams, 
cocoas, plantains, ginger, arrow -root, ochros, and other productions of 
the mountain district, abound in these lofty and lovely regions; while 
the valley, through which Wag- Water River flows northward, as 
far as Anotto Bay, is adorned with sugar estates. 

The main road over the hill, till within the last few years, was 
steep and rough, passing through the gorge of the mountain, near 



STONEY HILL. 



167 



the Barracks ; but a new one has been opened a little to the east, 
taking the base of the hill, by which the dangers of the old one are 
avoided. The removal of the military to Newcastle Barracks, 
situated on the ridge of a lofty mountain to the east, has reduced 
Stoney Hill to a place of no consideration. The population on the 
Hill itself is small, but, within a circuit of a few miles, it amounts to 
several thousands. The land-wind, which blows here during the 
night, is extremely cold ; of which all who have been accustomed 
to the sultry air of the plain are very sensible. 

The mission was commenced in this locality by Mr. Young to- 
wards the close of 1 823, an account of which he communicated to the 
Committee, and from which the following is an extract:—" In a 
former communication I informed you that we had purchased a 
house at Stoney Hill, and were about fitting it up as a chapel. 
Since that period it has undergone the alterations necessary to re- 
ceive a congregation, and will now accommodate very comfortably 
about 360 persons, exclusive of the missionary's apartments. 

" The ill state of Mrs. Young's health having required a change of 
air, and the climate of Stoney Hill being famed for its salubrity, we 
were strongly advised by her medical attendant to remove thither for a 
few weeks, which was accordingly done, and, I am happy to say, 
has had a very salutary effect. During our stay here I preached 
twice every Sabbath, and on the week-evenings expounded, in a 
very familiar way, some portions of the holy Scripture to the people 
on the Hill, and a few more that attended from the missionary 
settlements ; which labour, I have reason to believe, was not alto- 
gether in vain, as a few were led to see the evil of their ways, and 
to manifest a deep concern for their salvation. I also opened a 
subscription in the neighbourhood to assist in defraying the expenses 
incurred by the purchase and fitting up of the chapel ; and you will 
be gratified to hear that it met with the most liberal encouragement 
from all classes the community — for, with the exception of a soli- 
tary case, my applications were never refused, but succeeded far 
beyond my most sanguine expectations. 

" From what I know of Stoney Hill, I am fully convinced that it is 
a very desirable mission station, and ought, if possible, to have the 
entire labour of a missionary ; indeed, the appointment of one seems 
urged by a number of very powerful considerations, which, in my 
humble opinion, merit the early attention of the Committee. 1st, 
It is in the centre of a large population ; there being, as appears 
from the parish list of " Givings-in, " upwards of three thousand 
slaves within four miles of the chapel, besides many people of free 
condition, settled in the immediate neighbourhood, who are at too 
great a distance from the parish church to be much benefited by it, 
and therefore have need of a missionary that would visit them from 
house to house, to instruct them in the things of God, of which 
many of them are lamentably ignorant, but willing to be taught. 
2d, The leading persons in the vicinity are our decided friends. 



168 



STONEY HILL. 



Whilst we were stopping there I took the liberty of calling upon 
most of the proprietors and managers of the surrounding estates ; 
all of whom expressed their cordial approbation of our new estab- 
lishment, and their willingness to facilitate its object to the utmost 
of their power. They have on different estates, to my own certain 
knowledge, given the negroes strict orders to attend the chapel, and 
encouraged them by their own example. Surely this field is already 
white unto the harvest, into which a labourer should be sent with all 
possible despatch." 

Having given this pleasing picture of Stoney Hill as a desirable 
locality for the labours of a resident missionary, the Committee sent 
forth more labourers early in the following year, which enabled the 
brethren at the district meeting to appoint Mr. Young himself to 
this new field of labour, instead of sending him to Port Royal, to 
which he had been appointed by the Conference. However, as the 
missionaries did not arrive till the month of April, Mr. Young con- 
tinued to assist Mr. Shipman in Kingston till their arrival, when he 
took an affectionate leave of the people among whom he had la- 
boured pleasantly and successfully for upwards of three years. On 
Sabbath, May 2d, 1824, he preached to about 300 persons, and on 
the Thursday evening following to about 200, forty of whom were 
soldiers; and rarely had he enjoyed so happy a season in preaching 
the glorious Gospel. On Saturday he held the first Leaders' Meet- 
ing ; appointed a society steward and another leader, a white person 
who was a proprietor in the neighbourhood; and also admitted some 
persons on trial for membership. He now extended his labours 
into the openings which presented themselves around. Having 
waited upon Mr. Falconer, of Mount Friendship, the proprietor of 
a coffee plantation having forty-five slaves attached to it, he was 
kindly received, and made arrangements for preaching to the 
people once a fortnight. Mr. Young next turned his attention to 
Mount Cressey, the estate of Mr. John Fox, where there was 
ninety-six slaves. He remarked : — " Having some time ago en- 
gaged with John Fox, Esq. of Mount Cressey, to instruct 
his negroes, I took a ride there this morning, which is a distance 
of nine miles, I spent the day with Mr. F. In the evening I 
preached to his people in the hot-house (or hospital) from " Why 
will ye die ? " The word seemed to be with power ; for, after ser- 
vice, sixteen of the people requested to be allowed to join the So- 
ciety, to whom I explained our rules, formed them into a class, 
and put their names down as candidates for membership." To the 
military he directed special attention. Several soldiers of the 33rd 
Regiment, who removed to Falmouth about the time Mr. Y. arrived 
at Stoney Hill, were zealous and devoted members of the Society ; 
and now several of the 77th Regiment, who succeeded them, began 
to attend the means of grace, and show signs of being graciously 
impressed. Having visited the military hospital, spoken to the 
patients, prayed with them, and distributed tracts, several desired to 



STONEY HILL. 



169 



be admitted on trial as members. Early in June he collected them 
together, explained the rules, and formed them into a class. 

Several of the proprietors and managers of the neighbouring 
estates began to visit the chapel, and to show a friendly temper. 
Finding that the ground about the chapel was greatly in need of 
being put in order, they generously sent eighteen negroes for a 
whole week to clear, fence, and plant it with guinea grass, so that 
the station was greatly improved in appearance. Towards the end 
of June, there were about two hundred and sixty-three in the 
Society, including a considerable number of candidates newly 
received on trial, and seven leaders, who were much alive to their 
personal piety, and the welfare of the souls committed to their care. 

The first Love Feast was held on the 28th of June, which was 
attended by the greater number of the members. On this occasion 
Mr. Young observed — " Many of them spoke of the work of grace 
in their souls with so much clearness as proved them to be taught 
of God, and a few stood forth as witnesses of his power to save. 
I hardly need add that I ranked this day with the happiest of my 
life." Again, he wrote, — " I am now almost daily applied to by 
some one for instruction in the way of salvation. This morning, a 
poor woman came nine miles to inquire what she must do to be 
saved. I endeavoured to give her suitable advice, and prayed with 
her ; after which she departed, with many tears, leaving me confi- 
dent that she was not far from the kingdom of heaven, for a more 
hopeful and sincere penitent I think I never beheld." About a 
week after this he adds—" This week I have been very busily 
engaged in putting up pews in the chapel, seven of which are 
already taken by white people, chiefly planters. This is rather a 
novel thing in Jamaica, and indicates a decrease of prejudice in this 
parish against missionary labours." 

These pleasing indications of prosperity were multiplied in the 
course of the year. There was a gradual increase of candidates for 
church membership, along with increasing congregations. He re- 
marked in September, — " The spirit of hearing in this place is so 
much increased that the chapel will no longer contain the people 
that attend. To-day, every aisle was filled, and upwards of a hun- 
dred negroes stood in the chapel yard, under a burning sun, during 
the whole service. Many white people were present, and some, not 
being able to get within the doors, were necessitated to go away." 

On Friday, the 8th of October, the first quarterly meeting was 
held, which excited great interest among the leaders, It was found 
that seventy members had been added to the Society during the 
quarter, besides thirty who formerly belonged to Kingston Society, 
making a total of three hundred and sixty-six members. The evi- 
dences of genuine piety given by many of the older members 
afforded ground of much encouragement to continue to take care 
for their eternal welfare. While Mr. Young was thus successfully 
pursuing his missionary work at this station, Mr. Jenkins was 

x 



170 



STONEY HILL. 



devoting himself with similar pious zeal to the advancement of the 
work of the Lord at Grateful Hill, where the growing congregations 
called for an enlargement of the chapel ; and the increase of the 
members proved that the spirit of God was accompanying the minis- 
tration of the word of life. 

Though the number added to the church in 1825 did not equal 
that of the preceding year, it was pleasing that many gave evidence 
of growing in grace, and in the knowledge of our Lord Jesus 
Christ ; and, notwithstanding a strict exercise of church discipline, 
only a few were found unworthy to be continued as members. The 
incidental evidences of success which Mr. Y. met with gave him 
much encouragment. On his way home from Kingston one even- 
ing, he observed, — "It was quite dark before I reached the summit 
of Stoney Hill, where 1 halted for a few minutes to observe an 
electric cloud. My attention was suddenly arrested by the voice of 
melodious singing to the right, and, on listening, I heard the tune 
was one which had been taught in our chapel. I now traced the 
sound to a hut in the cleft of the rock, which had been built by our 
members of his Majesty's 77th Regiment for religious purposes, and 
in which they were now met to worship God. Whilst many pleas- 
ing thoughts crowded ? upon me, I heard singing in an opposite direc- 
tion. The tune I recognized; it was sung by a company of 
negroes met together to minister consolation to a poor sick man. 
The voice of prayer succeeded that of praise." 

Such sounds have often cheered the writer, especially when tra- 
velling late in the evening, or before sunrise in the morning. 
Either after the labours of the day, or before going forth to begin 
them, the negroes have given such proofs of the influence of reli- 
gion upon their hearts as are by no means common among the 
generality of professors in our highly favoured and enlightened 
land, indicating that they found " Wisdom's ways to be ways of 
pleasantness." 

An encouraging opening having been effected at Redhills, a lofty 
locality about ten miles west of Stoney Hill, Mr. Young opened a 
small chapel on the 21st of August, 1825. It had previously been 
a house, but having undergone alterations and improvements, it ad- 
mitted a congregation of about 200, besides having a small apart- 
ment for the missionary. The walls were wattled and plastered, 
the roof thatched, and the floor terraced. Though the day was 
wet, the congregation was so large that only apart could be accom- 
modated inside the chapel, among whom was several proprietors, 
who seemed very friendly. 

At this time the yellow fever prevailed throughout the island, 
and swept off great numbers, in some instances even whole families. 
Mr. Young's family was the only one that escaped at Stoney Hill, 
where, in a few months, 150 soldiers were cut off in the garrison ; 
and at Manchester, which was generally considered the healthiest 
part of the island, the mortality was great. Messrs. Hague and 



STONE Y HII/L. 



171 



Berger, Moravian missionaries, with their wives, were among the 
victims ; and, on the north side of the island, Mr. Phillips, Baptist 
missionary, and his wife, were taken away, leaving an infant only 
a few months old. 

In October the first missionary meeting held at Stoney Hill ex- 
cited considerable interest among the people, who contributed freely, 
according to their ability, to send forth more labourers into the 
spiritual harvest field. 

The success which cheered Mr. Young was shared in by his suc- 
cessor, Mr. Grimsdall, who, in giving an account of it, remarked, 
early in January, 1827 : — " We have reason to be thankful that the 
cause of the Redeemer is prospering in this circuit ; for, since I 
last wrote, we have received ninety-seven on trial, making, with 
those taken on trial in June, 132. 1 cannot say that all those were 
deeply awakened, but I have confidence that all of them are desirous 
of fleeing from the wrath to come." On one property near Red- 
hills, several young persons became hopeful candidates for church 
membership, among whom was the leading dancer on the estate, 
who now gave evidence of a gracious change of heart by turning from 
all his former ways of folly and sin. Mr. G. also mentioned the 
hopeful death of a white man on the 3d of January. He wrote : — 
" I was much surprised by Mr. Harris, our Society steward for 
Redhills, informing me of the death of a person who was hearing 
me the preceding Lord's-day. He had received a liberal education, 
and came to this country many years ago to survey some land for 
a proprietor, since which he had held the place of overseer on 
several properties in this island; and, as he informed me, at one 
time under our friend, Mr. Drew; but of late he had resided on a 
small piece of land in the neighbourhood of Redhills. He was read 
in Latin and Greek, and was very conversable ; but had, unhappily, 
imbibed deistical sentiments, and was opposed to Christianity. By 
repeated persuasions he was led to our chapel in that part, and 
there he was not only convinced of the truth of the Gospel, but the 
Holy Spirit convinced him that he was a sinner. His conduct 
became changed, and he promised fair to be a bright Christian, but 
the Lord has removed him hence. He complained to me on the 
Lord's-day that he had an unusual pain in his throat, and on Mon- 
day evening he died of a lockecl-jaw." 

Mr. T. C. Morgan, about six months after this, gave a similar 
testimony to the progress of the good work throughout this circuit. 
" He expressed his belief that in no part of the island had God 
wrought as great a work in so short a space of time as at Stoney 
Hill. He observed: — Here are many who, three years ago, were 
unconscious that Jesus came into the world to save them, out can 
now exult in Him as their Saviour and friend, while they walk in 
all His ordinances blameless. Thank God, the blessed work con- 
tinues to prosper ; for, since the District Meeting, we have added 
upwards of forty to the Society, while the expulsions have been 



172 



STONEY HILL. 



few." One effect of the missionary meeting, which had been held 
at Redhills, was that a few of the poor members dedicated every 
thirtieth plaintain-tree to the missionary cause, the proceeds of 
which were to go to the funds of the Society. About thirty of 
these consecrated trees were at this time flourishing in different 
parts of the circuit. 

Mr. Morgan mentioned the following interesting circumstance in 
connection with this station : — " A native of Yorkshire, who re- 
members Mr. Wesley preaching in his father's house, and who 
has lately joined our Society, related to me the following account 
of his recent religious impressions : — A short time since, he was 
reduced from a state of affluence to one of great distress ; so much 
so that in the time of sickness he was destitute of home, money, 
medicine, food, and friends. Just in this time of need, an old negro 
man of our Society offered his assistance ; which being gladly 
accepted, this "neighbour to him" bought medicine, and adminis- 
tered it himself; furnished nourishment ; sat up three nights ; and, 
in short, acted the part of doctor, nurse, and host ! Through the 
blessing of Goa, the old negro's efforts were rendered successful in 
the recovery of the sick man ; who inquired what expense, &c, he 
had been at, and promised remuneration as soon as possible. The 
generous aged Christian replied, " Massa, you no owe me nothing, me 
owe you much still." " How do you make that out ?" said the 
restored man. " Why, massa, me neber able to pay you ; because 
you taught me to read de Word of God." This reply so affected 
the man that he resolved from that time to seek the Lord. 

The report at trie close of the year indicated the growing know- 
ledge, faith, purity, and consistency of the members, who now 
amounted to 386 ; and at Redhills the people were mentioned as 
diligent in their attention to the means of grace, and earnest in 
seeking the salvation of their souls ; but the want of a suitable 
place of worship was much felt, as the members alone could more 
than fill the humble thatched building in which they had from the 
beginning met to worship God. In the circuit there were 726 mem- 
bers, and though the want of teachers and other hindrances pre- 
vented the successful operation of Sunday-schools, there was one at 
each place. 

The circumstances of the district, through the death of several 
missionaries, deprived Stoney Hill of a resident missionary in 1828. 
The brethren in Kingston and Grateful Hill gave as much attention 
to it as the state of their health and their more immediate pastoral 
work enabled them, but the evil effects of the absence of a shepherd 
was seen in a decline of spiritual life among the people. At Red- 
hills matters were more cheering ; the labours of the local preachers 
were owned of God in the conversion of sinners and building up of 
believers in their most holy faith. In the circuit, at the end of the 
year, there was a decrease of ninety-six members. The year fol- 
lowing Mr. Wood was sent to them, and the congregation gradually 



STONE Y HILL. 



173 



increased, and several were awakened to a sense of their sin and 
danger. The Sabbath-school also was revived. At Redhills the 
school was countenanced by several of the proprietors in the vicinity 
and carried on with very considerable success. Of Mr. Lee, a 
black man, Mr. Wood observed, " Brother Lee, who is of the 
longest standing in this place, has lived to see prejudice fall ; for 
many who were once his enemies have been constrained from his 
steady perseverance and good conversation, to acknowledge him a 
man of principle and a man of God." This very worthy man was 
long justly esteemed by the missionaries as an upright, pious, zeal- 
ous, useful, and steady member of the Society, whose services con- 
tributed greatly to promote the prosperity of the station. Efforts 
were made at this time towards the erection of a new chapel, which 
was greatly needed. 

Toward the end of the year, Mr. Wood observed that the people 
manifested great eagerness to attend the means of grace ; that the 
congregations were increasing, and that a divine and powerful influ- 
ence generally attended the preaching, producing visible and salu- 
tary effects. He extended his labours to some new places, in men- 
tioning this, he remarked — " Mr. S. a member of our Society, who 
resides on a property ten or twelve miles from Stoney Hill, invited 
me to come over and preach to the negroes, saying that the attor- 
ney for the property would sanction my coming. From this I was 
led to make further enquiry, and waited on Mr. B. for permission, 
which he politely gave; and, accordingly, on the 31st of July, I 
made the adventure without a guide, and arrived at Mount Felier 
about mid-day. The scenery, as I passed along, was exceedingly 
romantic, the road being down the river bank, and the hills on 
either hand rearing their lofty heads, so that they are frequently 
wrapped in the clouds ; while the stream below rolled with velocity, 
and its violent bickerings over the mossy stones that intercepted 
its course made a perpetual murmur, which added solemnity to 
grandeur. In the evening we had a congregation of fifty adults, 
and upwards of twenty children, to whom I preached from 1 Tim. 
i. 15. They paid great attention, and seemed pleased when I in- 
formed them of my intention of coming again the next week. 
Being anxious to see the population of the neighbourhood, and to 
ascertain the prospect of a congregation, I took an excursion the 
following morning, accompanied by Mr. S., and called at Mount 
Zion, the property of a Mr. Thame. It is an elevated spot ; to ar- 
rive at which we had to ascend a way the most rugged and difficult 
I ever met with. Riding was impracticable ; I therefore took off 
my coat, giving it to a negro who led my horse, and proceeded on 
foot till I had literally gained the summit of Mount Zion. Mr. 
Thame received me with every mark of courtesy, and introduced 
me to Mrs. T. and family, who expressed their joy unanimously at 
my visit. They also entered spiritedly into the objects of my 
visit, informing me that they were once members of our Society at 



174 



STONEY HILL. 



Grateful Hill ; but their purchasing and removing to this place had 
torn them from the Society, and rendered them destitute of the 
means of grace. Mr. T. further stated, that if I would visit them, 
and should succeed in planting a mission, he would give the Society 
six or eight acres of land, for the purpose of building a chapel." 
" With wonder and joy I now gazed around me ; the prospect being 
extensive in every direction, and the spot on which I stood highly 
salubrious. But the most enchanting was its eligibleness for the 
preaching of the Gospel. It is at a distance of some miles from 
any place of worship, none appearing nearer than Stoney Hill. It 
is surrounded by a very considerable population of slaves and free 
settlers. On one property there are nearly two hundred slaves, 
many of whom are ignorant of God, and have not heard of a Sa- 
viour." Though Mr. W. continued for sometime to visit this pro- 
mising place once a fortnight, it was impossible to continue to 
attend to it from want of missionaries. About four years after this 
the writer visited it, and found the poor people as sheep left in the 
wilderness to pine away and perish from want of pastoral attention. 

The health of Mr. Curtis failing in 1832, compelled him to retire 
to Kingston in order to obtain efficient medical advice and treat- 
ment, and Mr. Bleby was removed from Montego Bay in the month 
of August to supply his place at Stoney Hill Afraid to travel by 
land with his family, he proceeded by sea, and barely escaped a 
watery grave when within a few miles of Port Royal, from the little 
vessel being overtaken by a hurricane. The change of locality was 
immediately felt. He observed : — e< Since our removal hither we 
have experienced comparative tranquillity, which is the more grate- 
ful by reason of the perpetual anxiety and alarm to which we have 
been subject on the north side from the beginning of the year." 
With regard to the circuit, he wrote : — " No acts of outrage have 
been committed; but, owing to the threats held out by some of the 
depraved book-keepers and overseers in the neighbourhood, some 
of our free members nightly guard the chapel ; and the coloured 
people generally, whether connected with us or not, are determined 
to protect it from violence. The congregations are small, and the 
classes but indifferently attended, owing to the nefarious means 
adopted to prevent the slaves from coming to the house of God. 
We hope, however, soon to hail the approach of that day when the 
hindrance shall be removed, and the persecuted sons and daughters 
of Africa shall be at liberty to worship God according to the dictates 
of their own conscience, none daring to make them afraid." 

As the ferment excited by the insurrection subsided, the people 
gradually returned to the services, and the circuit began to improve. 
On the removal of Mr. Bleby, Mr. Murray was appointed to succeed 
him, till he could make arrangements for returning to England with 
his family in 1834, when Mr. Atkins took his place and diligently 
laboured to advance the mission. 

Mr. Edney having returned from Honduras Bay in 1835, en- 



STONEY HILL. 



175 



feebled in health, was appointed to this station, when he and Mrs. 
E. were soon restored by the change. The prosperity which ap- 
peared throughout the district at this time was shared by Stoney 
Hill circuit. The congregations greatly increased ; many were 
added to the Society, and a spirit of liberality possessed the people, 
which led them to do beyond what they either did or could do 
previously towards supporting the temporal expenses of the stations. 

A new chapel was erected at Redhills, fifty feet by thirty, with a 
room ten feet square for the accommodation of the missionary, when 
remaining through the night at the station. The appearance of 
this chapel was very imposing and respectable for the locality. The 
whole of the expense was borne by the people, except forty pounds, 
which the committee granted. Mr. E. felt greatly encouraged by 
the state of the Society, both at this place and at Stoney Hill, and 
also with the promising aspect of the Sabbath-schools. 

Mr. Simmons followed Mr. Edney, and continued in the circuit 
till the arrival of Mr. Greenwood from Honduras in 1840. This 
excellent missionary was appointed to Jamaica in 1829, and shared 
in all the toils of the mission, and endured its trials, even unto bonds, 
as will be seen in the account of the north side persecutions of 
1832. He was seized with fever, and cut off on the 7th of January, 
1841, only a few days before the brethren assembled at their 
annual District Meeting. He was distinguished for simplicity of 
character ; modesty, piety, kindness, and devotedness to his work as 
a Christian missionary, were the leading features which greatly 
endeared him to his brethren This was a severe stroke to this 
circuit, as his removal deprived it of a resident missionary for two 
years, and Stoney Hill was, therefore, attached to Grateful Hill 
during that period, and Redhills to Kingston. The people pined 
under the want of that pastoral care to which they had been accus- 
tomed. 

In 1813, Mr. Sergeant was appointed, and, under his ministry, a 
gradual and visible improvement took place in the congregations 
and among the members of the society. It was at this time, the 
writer paid his last visit to this neighbourhood ; on which occasion, 
he could not avoid being impressed with the recollection of many 
pleasant hours which he had passed with his brethren when resting 
on his way between Kingston and Grateful Hill, during the period 
of his missionary labours at the latter place. 



176 



CHAPTER XIII. 

FALMOUTH. 

Situation and appearance of Falmouth — Dr. Coke preaches at Martha Brae — Mr. 
Shipman begins the mission — Mr. Binning — Mr. Eatcliffe forms a Society — 
Successful efforts of Mr. Box — The insurrection — Mr. Box imprisoned — The 
people persecuted — Robert Lamont and John Baillie — The Chapel destroyed 
by " Colonial Unionists" — Mr. Bleby assaulted — Meeting of the "Colonial 
Unionists " — Success of Mr. Walters— The Chapel re-erected — The mission 
advances — Duncans— A prosperous day-school — A Chapel erected — Affecting 
death of a negro child. 

The town of Falmouth is situated near the mouth of Martha Brae 
River, which, rising in the mountains, pursues a winding course of 
thirty miles from the centre to the northern boundary of the parish 
of Trelawney. The original town, named from the Brae, about 
two miles inland, has, for many years, resigned its pretensions to 
Falmouth, both as to convenience for the shipping and general 
business — the latter excelling all the towns on the north side, ex- 
cept Montego Bay, while its general aspect is more English, or 
rather American, than that of any other in the island. The ground 
on which it is built was originally a mere swamp, scarcely elevated 
above high water mark, while a lagoon of several miles in extent 
hems it in on the east, south, and west, covered with mangrove, sea 
grapes, and other semi-marine trees and vegetation, affording shelter 
and nourishment for myriads of crabs, mosquitoes, and sand-flies ; 
while its sends forth a most offensive miasm, which is felt strongly 
during the night, when the land wind carries it over the town to- 
wards the sea. While strangers consider it very unhealthy, the 
inhabitants are, happily for themselves, of a contrary opinion. The 
streets are laid out at right angles, and most of the houses being 
kept well painted with stone or lead colour, to preserve them, look 
remarkably neat and clean. In the centre of the town there is a 
large reservoir of water, which is supplied through pipes reaching 
the river at Martha Brae, where there is a hydraulic engine to keep 
up the supply when the river is too low to work the water wheel. 
The most prominent building is the Court House, which is of stone, 
having a portico supported by four massive pillars; a broad flight 
of steps, branching off right and left, leading to two large halls, 
into which the upper part of the edifice is divided. The parish 
church has nothing remarkable about it. The Scotch Presbyterian 
church is a plain brick building. The Baptist chapel, erected by 
Mr. Knibb, is substantial, commodious, and respectable. The 
Wesleyan chapel — a sketch of which is here given — is a plain 



FALMOUTH. 



177 



building, calculated to accommodate about 1600 persons when well 
filled. 

The harbour affords safe shelter for ships, being defended on the 
north by a coral reef, running parallel with the shore, and a fort on 
the point, forming the extreme north of the town, the guns of 
which fully command the entrance of the harbour ; however, the 
progress of the coral formation threatens soon to close up the mouth 
entirely, already first-class ships have not room to enter, and are 
compelled to go to Montego Bay. A few years ago, a large amount 
of British and American shipping frequented it, and a considerable 
trade was carried on. The population is large, and the effects 
of religion among the people are very visible, especially on the 
Sabbath. 

The first Methodist missionary who proclaimed the Gospel here 
was the illustrious Dr. Coke, who having left Montego Bay in 
April, 1793, in order to proceed to Kingston, rested at Martha 
Brae, where he consented to stay and preach in the evening, at the 
earnest solicitation of a captain of a London merchant ship, and 
several gentlemen. 

In the evening, the Doctor had a large audience in the Assembly 
Room, whom he addressed on the vital doctrine contained in John iii. 
3. For about twenty minutes all listened with deep silence, when the 
captain, who was so urgent for a sermon, exclaimed, " Sir, if what 
you say be true, we must all be damned : I do not like your doc- 
trine at all." In an instant he was joined by all the rakes present. 
Still the dauntless missionary elevated his voice above the impious 
storm, and continued his discourse twenty minutes longer, in the 
midst of confusion and noise, cheered by the devout attention of 
some ladies, whose minds were too deeply riveted to be diverted by 
the senseless conduct of the profane scoffers around them. One 
lady addressed one of them thus — " Till this time I always consi- 
dered you as a decent, virtuous } r oung man, but now I find you are 
a vagabond, and I forbid you ever to darken my door again." 

This usage drew several friends around the Doctor, and among 
them two pious captains from Liverpool, one of whom was ridiculed 
in the Island as the preaching captain, and another from Hull, who 
travelled with the Doctor, and offered him a free passage in his ship 
to England, but want of time kept him from availing himself of this 
friendly offer. 

To annoy the Doctor, the rakes took away his horse, which was 
restored in order to appease a young man, who took in hand to de- 
fend him against the world. This unhappy man placed himself 
beside the Doctor in the room of the tavern, and " began to swear, 
and bawl, and roar, till the whole family were in consternation." 
The horse was immediately brought. On which the Doctor says, 
" he took me aside, and, staggering, (for he was very drunk) ad- 
dressed me as follows :— * Sir, I was once a Methodist, of the Coun- 
tess of Huntingdon's connection in Bristol, and had the honour of 



178 



FALMOUTH. 



being sometime a steward of that Society. I have now in my 
custody several letters written with the Countess' own hand : these 
I have shown to many in the island ; but, O, Sir, they only laugh 
at them, and at everything that is sacred. And though, Sir, I find 
myself obliged to live and converse as the rest do, or I should 
become an object of universal contempt and ridicule, yet (says he, 
beating his breast) I have it here, Sir ; I have it here : I have 
faith, Sir ; I have faith.' Poor young man, thought I, if the great 
woman, whom you so justly commend, and whose memory will be 
ever reverenced by the truly pious, were to hear you, she would 
say, as that eminent minister of God, Mr. Gr. Whitefield, observed 
on a similar occasion, ' I clearly see you are one of my converts, 
and not a convert of Jesus Christ.y 

The Doctor having slept on board one of the ships lying in the 
harbour, rose and pursued his way in the morning. This was the 
first message of salvation to this place by a Methodist missionary, 
and a quarter of a century rolled away ere another appeared to bear 
witness to the same truths. 

In 1816, the missionaries remarked to the Committee — rt At Fal- 
mouth, we have similar prospects (as at Montego Bay) and are 
strenuously urged by a respectable gentleman, a member of our 
Society, to begin the work ; and, moreover, he begged to add, that 
Mr. Shipman has received direct encouragement from one of the 
first political characters in the island to the same effect." 

Though Falmouth was added to the list of stations this year, it 
was not till 1818 that Mr. Shipman was able to take active steps in 
commencing the mission in earnest. In September, he reported to 
the Committee, that one Serjeant Waugh, of the Royal Artillery, 
had sent him four dubloo?is y two of which were to be appropriated 
to the erection of a chapel in Falmouth, one for the Bible Society, 
and another for general purposes. Early in 1819, Mr. Binning suc- 
ceeded Mr. Shipman, whose labours produced a most favourable im- 
pression on the public mind, though little spiritual fruit appeared. 
Mr. B. stated — " We have met with every encouragement. The Hon. 
Mr. Stewart, who is the Custos, has shown us very marked appro- 
bation," which rendered it an easy matter to obtain a licence at the 
Quarter Sessions. 

There were also two stations in the country, where the small 
congregations were very attentive. It was remarkable that most of 
the hearers were white people, who approved of the doctrines 
preached, and treated the missionaries politely. Though greatly 
depressed by the want of success in saving souls, they trusted that 
they were instruments of preparing the way for better days. 

The claims of other parts of the island would not admit of con- 
tinuing a missionary here, which led Mr. Ratcliffe, in 1823, to 
lament that Trelawney, with a slave population of 27,000, besides 
3000 free people, and its town the third in commercial importance 
in the island, should be left without a missionary. In November, 



FALMOUTH. 



179 



he spent a week in Falmouth, and preached on Sunday and Tuesday 
evenings, in the Court-House, to large congregations, which gave 
him encouragement to return as the resident missionary at the fol- 
lowing District Meeting, when it again appeared in the minutes as 
a station. 

On Sabbath, May 9th, 1824, Mr. Ratcliffe opened a small chapel, 
which he succeeded in getting up. The sensation produced led 
some to resolve on closing their shops on the Lord's-day — about 
twelve begged to be received as candidates for church membership, 
while some viewed slave instruction as a dangerous innovation. As 
to the difficulty of bringing slaves to a just sense of religion, he 
could not see it after seven years* experience and observation. He 
felt encouraged by witnessing the benign influence of the Gospel 
" on the inmates of a negro cabin." 

On the 30th, he united William Earle and Judith James in mar- 
riage, in presence of the congregation, which excited intense inte- 
rest and curiosity, as they were slaves : intimating the lamentable 
licentiousness prevalent in the island, marriage being viewed as a 
novelty. 

In about a week after, he married two couples, baptized five, 
and divided the candidates into four classes, besides one of seven- 
teen members in the 33rd Regiment, all pious men, at the close of 
the following year. Though the Society continued small the mem- 
bers were consistent ; the congregations large ; and many were under 
deep anxiety about salvation, and hungering and thirsting for the 
word of life. The number reported was sixty -six members, thirty -four 
of whom had been added in the course of the year. Messrs. Crofts 
and Morgan expressed themselves as greatly encouraged with the 
state and prospects of the mission in 1826. 

Though the field was white unto the harvest, and the people 
flocking to hear the word with earnest desire, yet they were de- 
prived of a resident missionary for a considerable time, till Mr. Box 
was appointed in 1830, whose active zeal was crowned with great 
success ; his labours were extensive, and the numbers and spiritual 
state of the members rapidly improved. At the end of the year he 
observed : — " Our Society is improving in numbers and stability, 
while the largeness of our congregations warrant the pleasing hope 
that soon it will be necessary to enlarge our borders. The whole 
of the pews are let, with the exception of a few single sittings, 
while £75 has been taken for them. By extraordinary efforts our 
people have raised £100 currency towards liquidating the chapel debt." 

A burial ground having been purchased, Mr. Box addressed a 
large concourse of people who witnessed the first interment in it of 
a pious slave member, on October 31st, 1830. A few weeks after 
this he was called to dedicate a dwelling to God, built by a Mrs. 
Hindmarsh, a respectable female member, at Salt Marsh— 
about five miles west of the town — being, as he remarked, the first 
house ever so consecrated by a religious service in the parish. 



180 



FALMOUTH. 



Great interest was excited ; numbers of rich and poor, bond and 
free, were attracted, and joined devoutly in the pleasing service. 
In this same house the writer has frequently preached to a company 
of attentive listeners, who always hailed the visits of the missionary 
with pleasure. At the annual District Meeting it was reported 
that " In this part of the vineyard the word of the Lord has had 
free course and been glorified, during the past year. Several have 
found peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ, and many 
have been led to a serious concern for the salvation of their souls.'* 
Mr. Box continued his labours at Falmouth during 1831, with 
cheering success. The number of members in the circuit rose to 
960. But, just as he was preparing to remove to another station, 
the trump of civil war announced the insurrection of the slaves, and 
awakened the spirit of persecution against all missionaries as sus- 
pected sympathizers with them. As the rebellion began in St. 
James's and Trelawney, Mr. Box used all his influence with his 
members to keep them from joining in it ; and, wishing to avoid 
being compelled to take arms as a soldier, he preached his farewell 
sermon at Falmouth, on New-Year's-Day, 1832. After preaching, 
he was summoned to attend at head- quarters, where he found several 
Baptist missionaries collected, all of whom were ordered to return 
the next day. As martial law was proclaimed, Mr. B. applied to 
the colonel for a passport to Kingston, in order that he might attend 
the District Meeting. Having reached Spanish Town, he was 
seized as he was walking the streets with the Rev. D. Kerr ; being 
first hurried off to the guard-room, he was subjected to the insults 
of the military and several heartless spectators, who loaded him with 
contemptible epithets and unfeeling abuse. He got permission to 
read his Bible amidst oaths, curses, and profane language. He 
endeavoured to get some rest by leaning on a table during the night, 
as no bed w r as allowed him, after a fatiguing ride of thirty miles. 
In the morning he was, by an order of the Governor, committed to 
the common jail, and thrown among felons, some of whom were 
condemned convicts, others were guilty of high crimes and misde- 
meanours ; but the greater number were imprisoned for their owners' 
debts, waiting till they might legally (!) be sold by public auction. 
The number was fifty-four, some of whom were afflicted with small 
pox, others with cutaneous diseases, and all in a state of offensive 
filthiness. When he attempted to sleep, myriads of mosquitoes and 
other insects rendered it impossible, and the following night he 
paced his cell for nine hours to keep off the vermin. Along with 
these evils, the suffocating heat and effluvium so affected him that, 
on the third day, he began to sink under them ; on which the 
marshal proposed that he should exchange cells with a highway 
robber, which rendered the last two days of his confinement some- 
what easier, as he obtained some sleep. He was watched with as 
much care as if the fate of the island depended on his being closely 
shut. up. However, all this time, his mind was kept stayed on God 



FALMOUTH. 



181 



and in perfect peace. None of his brethren visited him during his 
confinement, on account of the degrading conditions and restrictions 
imposed on them, when they applied for leave to see him. 

Though his arrest was at the instance of the Custos of Trelawney 
there was no charge — even after his imprisonment of five days a 
second despatch brought no accusation, on which the Governor set 
him at liberty ! 

While his luggage lay at the wharf to be shipped it was ransacked 
for letters or anything that might criminate him ; his journal was 
taken away, and basely given to a malignant editor, who published 
forged or garbled extracts ; and some members of the House of 
Assembly searched it diligently in order to glean anything that 
might fasten upon him the guilt of exciting the slaves to rebellion, 
but without effect ; his innocence, and that of his brethren, shone 
with lustre amidst the dark insinuations and reckless charges of an 
unscrupulous and malignant press, that laboured keenly to procure 
the destruction of every supposed friend of the poor slaves — who, 
at this time, were butchered in a manner that must fix indelible 
infamy on their cowardly destroyers. 

One of the hostile journals, " The Cornwall Courier," being pub- 
lished in Falmouth, vied with the " Courant" of Kingston in 
urging that " immediate steps should be taken to place the whole of 
the sectarian preachers in the island, if not in close custody, at least 
under a most rigid surveillance ; as facts of the rebellion having been 
actually preached to the slaves, and instilled into their minds, are 
hourly coming to light !" 

The flock, left without their pastor, were soon scattered and 
treated as if guilty of all the charges so shamelessly brought against 
them. Two of their number were selected as victims. Robert 
Lamont, a head man on Georgia Estate, and recently appointed to 
act as a leader of one of the Falmouth classes, on account of his 
intelligence, prudence, and piety. On the 28th December, while 
working in his provision ground, he, with some others, were seized 
by a party of militia, carried to Falmouth, tried by a " drum-head" 
court martial, sentenced to receive 500 lashes ; to be imprisoned in 
the workhouse, and to work in chains during the term of his natural 
life. He was torn from his wife and children ; sent to Port Maria 
workhouse ; imprisoned among felons ; gradually sunk under his 
accumulated sufferings ; and was brought down to the grave in less 
than a year — his only crime being that he prayed to God and 
helped others to seek the Redeemer, and his salvation. 

Their next victim was a relation of Lamont's, also a coloured 
man, belonging to the same property, named John Bailie, son of a 
former attorney, whose father left him £50 to aid in purchasing his 
manumission ; but when, by his own industry and savings, he had 
as much as his estimated value, he was not allowed to escape from 
his chain, as the estate needed his services rather than his money ! 
He was sentenced to receive the same punishment as his kinsman and 



182 



FALMOUTH. 



fellow-christian ; but he fainted under the lash, and was pronounced 
by the attendant surgeon incapable of surviving more. He was 
then sent off to Rodney Hall workhouse, a place of punishment 
of appalling notoriety, whence he was cruelly treated till his Excel- 
lency, on inquiring into his case, set him free, in 1838. 

During martial law, the chapel was used as a guard-house for the 
military, and as the St. Ann's Western Regiment of Militia, " who 
were also Colonial Church Unionists," were on their way home 
early in February, they pulled down the Baptist meeting-house, and 
attempted to do the same to the Wesleyan chapel, but its strength was 
such that their efforts were useless, till a few weeks after, a party of 
whites was formed in the town and neighbouring estates, who, with 
the aid of some captains and sailors, whose vessels were lying in the 
harbour, who brought jackscrews, ropes, tackle, saws, and crowbars, 
with which they effected its demolition ; but not till they had spent 
fourteen nights successively at it — as coolly as if engaged in doing 
lawful work. The authorities pretended not to see it. While 
working, a miserable drunken fiddler was employed to amuse them 
with his wretched performances on a violin. As fast as the mate- 
rials were torn asunder they were carried off by thieves, which 
system of robbery suddenly ceased as follows : — A fellow who used 
to express his sorrow at the materials of God's house being sacri- 
legiously stolen, went with some companions one night to do what 
he hypocritically condemned. Having fixed his eye on a loosened 
beam, he resolved to carry it off, but, while tugging at it, it suddenly 
gave way, and one end striking him in the neck pinned him to the 
ground. Another had his leg broken ; on which the rest took fright 
and fled. On the following morning the wretch was found in the 
position his companions had left him — a stiffened corpse — with the 
end of the beam sticking in his neck ! A coroner's inquest was 
held, and a verdict of accidental death returned. No thief would 
touch a nail of the ruins of the house of God after this! 

At the annual District Meeting, which was held in February, Mr. 
Bleby was appointed to succeed Mr, Box at Falmouth ; but so 
powerful was the faction against the missionaries that no landlord 
felt it safe to hire a house to him, from fear of having it destroyed 
by the Colonial Church Unionists. However, after considerable 
importunity with the proprietor of the house formerly occupied by 
the missionaries, he removed to it on the 4th April. On the follow- 
ing morning several of the people joined him at family prayer, 
notice of which was instantly conveyed to the editor of " The Corn- 
wall Chronicle," who, as a magistrate, ordered the constables to take 
all into custody who might be found doing so. The next morning 
the people came again, but as soon as they were gone, several con- 
stables waited on Mr. Bleby to inform him that his house was un- 
licensed, and that no preaching would be allowed there. The 
proprietor endeavoured to persuade him to leave the house, but Mr. 
B. having nowhere else to go to, advised him to apply to the civil 



FALMOUTH. 



183 



authorities to protect his property if he thought it in danger. Soon 
after this an anonymous letter was picked up near the house, 
threatentng him with tar and feather unless he left the town. It 
was in a disguised hand signed " Mob." On the evening of the 
third day,justasMr. B. had sat down to tea, several whitemen entered 
the house, armed with bludgeons. On Mr. B. inquiring the object 
of their visit, they said, " We have come to take tea with you." 
Some of them instantly seized and drove him backwards to the 
opposite side of the room, cursing him as a preaching villain. One 
struck him a heavy blow on the head ; another brought a keg of 
tar, with which they proceeded to cover his head, face, and breast. 
One seized the candle from the table and endeavoured to set his 
clothes on fire. Mrs. Bleby now rushed forward and dashed the 
candle from his hand. The noise attracted several friends, which 
scared the villains, who quickly made their escape. 

In the dark, some of them mistook their own companions for Mr. 
Bleby and Mr. Whitehorne, the Baptist missionary, who had left the 
house only a short time before their arrival, on these they inflicted 
some murderous blows, by which one had his collar bone broken, 
one his skull fractured, and another his thumb dislocated. One of 
them never recovered his reason, but died a wretched maniac from 
the wounds he received ! In the scuffle, Mrs. Bleby was thrown 
violently on the floor by one of the miscreants, and another at- 
tempted to lock her up in the pantry. The infant which lay on the 
sofa, disturbed by the noise, began to cry, on which one exclaimed 
" throw it through the window" Mrs. Bleby hearing this, snatched 
it up, and succeeded in making her escape with it in her arms by 
the back door, without her bonnet, and having only one shoe, while 
her dress was covered with tar. Mr. Bleby, in endeavouring to get 
away, was met in the yard by the man who had attempted to set 
him on fire, who aimed a blow at his head, but, by stooping, he 
avoided it. He then rushed up-stairs, and narrowly escaped a 
heavy blow from a bludgeon, which fell heavily on the stairs, and 
resounded through the house. At length he effected his escape, 
and found shelter in the house of a person of colour. He was then 
taken under the protection of Mr. Miller and the military, and 
found an asylum for the night in the barracks, while Mrs. Bleby was 
kindly received and sheltered by the lady of Mr. Jackson, Clerk 
of the Peace. 

Before Mr. Bleby found protection from these cowardly ruffians, 
some coloured friends of the militia came to his rescue ; but this 
was deemed a crime, for which they were threatened to be tried by 
a court-martial. 

Bills were filed against the above-mentioned rioters, but the 
Grand Jury of the County of Cornwall ignored them, as did the 
Grand Juries in every similar case, during this season of infamous 
misrule and persecution. In July, the "Colonial Unionists" of 
the several parishes throughout the island assembled at Falmouth, 



184 



FALMOUTH. 



in order to make a last desperate effort to destroy the missions. 
The " Cornwall Courier " gave the following account of this grand 
assembly : — " The meeting of the Colonial Union, which was held 
at the Court-House in this town, on Monday last, was one of the 
most numerous and respectable that has been held in Trelawney for 
a long time. The unanimity which pervaded it was wonderful — 
every man seemed bent on accomplishing its objects — the expul- 
sion of the canting crew who have so long preyed upon the very 
vitals of this community, and, with a baseness unparalleled, endea- 
voured to destroy the country, which has afforded them so many 
1 days of fat things.' 

" These meetings are wormwood and gall to the saints; they feel 
that by them their influence, their trade is destroyed : and they 
yell and groan most piteously at every thought of those words of 
horror, the * Colonial Union.' This shows the efficacy of the insti- 
tution, and proves that it is the only way to get rid of them. 

" The resolutions were carried by acclamation." — " They are un- 
exceptionable, especially that one which pledges the members of 
the Union to employ no person of any description whatever 
who is a supporter of the sectarians. The adherence to this 
resolution will do more to drive them away than could be effected 
by any other plan ; and the sooner the saints are ejected the better 
for Jamaica." So great was the infatuation of these " Unionists" 
that they expressed the utmost contempt of the Imperial Parliament, 
the Governor, and the British public, whose united voice condemned 
their folly, and proclaimed a determination to protect the mission- 
aries from their lawless violence. 

At this meeting a "Solemn Declaration" was formed, a copy of 
which was to be kept in each parish, and whoever refused to sign 
it was to be a marked man — to be crushed by every possible means, 
by loss of situation, trade, &c. ; and on the other hand promises of 
strong encouragement and support were held out to all who would 
join in expelling the missionaries from the island. It is easy to 
imagine what the poor flock had to endure when their pastors were 
called to suffer such treatment at the hands of those who possessed 
the means of giving full indulgence to their unbridled passions 
among the helpless and unprotected slaves. 

The storm was too violent to last long. British justice appeared, 
armed with power to shield its victims, and hush the tempest into a 
permanent calm. In the following year the clouds began to break, 
though about six months passed away ere it was deemed safe for 
a missionary to begin his labours publicly in Falmouth. In J une, 
1833, Mr. Walters ventured to take up his residence in Falmouth. 
At the close of August he gave the following pleasing account of 
his situation and prospects: — " Our enemies are at peace with us. 
For the last two months this has been my residence, and I must 
say I have been treated kindly by the authorities ; and I feel 
confident, notwithstanding former occurrences, that, if protection 



FALMOUTH. 



185 



or even redress should be required by me, I should have it. Upon 
the whole, our prospects are exhilarating ; the cloud is dispersing ; 
the scattered victims of persecution begin again to be collected, and 
the church will, we trust, once more flourish, to the glory of that 
God who has thus far brought us through the water and through the 
fire." " Twenty months our chapel has been demolished. Our 
present place of worship is crowded to excess. The building is 
low— the heat intense. It is at times rendered almost insupportable 
to the people, and it cannot but accelerate the death of the mission- 
ary." By the end of the year, the scattered members had been 
almost all gathered in, and several new ones added to the number. 

During 1834, the prospect continued to brighten; the people 
eagerly flocked to hear the word; large numbers received it joy- 
fully, and gave evidence of its renewing influence on their hearts 
and lives; and so greatly had public sentiment changed, that, 
when Mr. Walters was about to leave Falmouth, the Vestry gave 
him the use of the Court-House for two Sabbaths, in order to ac- 
commodate the large congregations desirous of listening to his fare- 
well sermons. 

As soon as arrangements were made by the missionary committee 
for giving some pecuniary aid by direct grant or loan towards the 
re- erection of the destroyed chapels, Messrs. Corlett, Bird, and 
Hornby were appointed to the Falmouth circuit, which at that 
time extended to several distant stations in the country. Mr. C. 
laboured with great zeal in rebuilding Falmouth chapel ; but, in 
executing his noble design, he far exceeded the pecuniary means at 
his command, which involved him in much anxiety of mind, and 
placed him in a painful position with his brethren, who considered 
that in this matter his zeal had carried him beyond the line of pru- 
dence. Still, the labours of Mr. C, as well as of his colleagues in 
this circuit, were of the most self-denying character. He found, 
on his arrival, that the people had been thrown into a state of dis- 
union by a young man who had left the army, and became for a 
while a promising assistant to the mission ; but Mr. C. recovered 
most of those who had been led astray, and greatly increased the 
Society ere he left the station. 

The chapel is seventy-five feet by fifty, with a capacious gallery 
at the end and sides, and a vestry behind the pulpit end twelve feet 
square, beyond which there is a piece of enclosed ground. It is a 
plain building, bearing evident marks of regard to decency, eco- 
nomy, and comfort. It was opened, though unfinished, by Mr. 
Bleby, on the 31st July, 1836, who felt the contrast between his 
position on that day, and the dark night when he was assaulted by 
the infuriated " Colonial Unionists " in his own house near by. 

In 1838, efforts were made to establish schools in the circuit. 
With regard to this, Mr. Foster observed — "An adult school, 
which has been formed here, is prospering even beyond our expec- 
tation. I believe the number of scholars is now above seventy. 



186 



FALMOUTH. 



We can have it only once a week, in consequence of other services, 
still the learners are making some proficiency. The weekly school 
for our children, which has been established here, is in successful 
operation." Two years afterwards, His Excellency Sir Charles 
Metcalfe, the Governor, while making a tour in the island, came to 
Falmouth, and through one of the magistrates, informed Mr. Sec- 
combe that he wished to visit the day-school. After witnessing 
with pleasure the progress of the scholars, he, unsolicited, presented 
£50 towards the erection of a school-honse. This act of his Excel- 
lency was only one of a series which marked his good will and 
princely liberality during his government of the colony. A more 
conciliatory, judicious, impartial, firm, and universally beloved 
ruler, it would be difficult to conceive of, and unreasonable to ex- 
pect. His name is embalmed in the memory of all who witnessed 
his public and private conduct during his government of the island. 

On the 23d of April, 1840, Mr. Seccombe purchased a piece of 
ground for a school-house adjoining the back of the chapel, and 
resolved, along with his excellent colleague Mr. Richard Harding, 
to beg from door to door to raise funds for the erection of the 
building. 

The prospect of success continued to brighten, old prejudices 
rapidly disappeared, the congregation and Society increased, and a 
spirit of zeal and liberality was awakened. Public missionary meet- 
ings were held in September, — the chair was taken by one of the ma- 
gistrates, and £100 contributed in aid of the general mission fund, 
while the Vestrymen of the parish voted £60 toward the school- 
house. 

The following year, when the writer was appointed to the cir- 
cuit with Mr. Seccombe, several improvements were made on the 
chapel — a clock was placed in front of the gallery, a chandelier 
hung from the centre of the roof, two additional windows were put 
in the pulpit end of the building, and the whole painted — all of 
which was paid for by the people with great cheerfulness. The 
members increased to about a thousand, who earnestly strove to 
maintain their own ministers, and to defray local expenses, inde- 
pendent of any aid from the general mission fund. 

One peculiarity of this place of worship was, that in the morning 
the congregation was composed of our country members, along with 
those resident in the town, and in the evening of a large assemblage 
of all classes of the inhabitants, including, in addition to our own 
people, others belonging to the Church, the Presbyterians, the Bap- 
tists, and the Hebrew persuasion, who listened attentively to our 
views of the word of God, and manifested a most friendly disposition. 

As a considerable number of the members belonging to Falmouth 
Society resided in the neighbourhood of Duncan's, a village about 
ten miles eastward, Mr. Corlett was induced to form a station at 
that place, in order to meet their circumstances. By strenuous 



FALMOUTH. 



187 



efforts, he and his colleagues made a commencement, and proceeded 
to erect a wooden chapel of large dimensions ; but ere his plans 
were carried out he was removed. From the large number of 
estates within the range of a few miles, the prospects of a pros- 
perous mission were encouraging. Of this place Mr Foster wrote 
in 1838 : — " At Duncan's, where our congregations, as well as our 
Society is composed (almost entirely) of those who are just liberated 
from the shackles of slavery, we have still encouraging prospects of 
extensive usefulness. The congregation has within the last few 
months been increasing, and in the course of the last quarter sixty- 
eight have been received on trial. The school at this place is in 
a very flourishing condition ; several new scholars are admitted from 
amongst those who were above the age of six years when the ap- 
prenticeship term commenced, and who, consequently, during that 
term were deprived of the opportunity of securing learning, and 
who wish to secure it now, while the means are within their reach. 
Others of the adult population are manifesting an anxiety to learn 
to read and write, and are devoting a part of their time to that 
object. I have been delighted to hear some of the negroes refer to 
their temporal freedom in such a manner as to show that, while they 
gave God the praise for that blessing, they did not allow it to have 
the pre-eminence in their estimation above that far more glorious 
liberty which they enjoy as children of God." 

The prosperity of the day-school at this place was owing chiefly 
to the well-directed exertions of Mr. H. Adams, the teacher. His 
qualifications were highly respectable, and his energy far beyond 
what the state of his health led any of his friends to expect of him. 
He had great influence among his scholars, from his peculiar 
management, and succeeded to an extent by no means common in 
the island in this department of the work of benefitting the people. 

In the following year Messrs. Ritchie and Harding laboured with 
zeal and success in advancing the moral and spiritual welfare of the 
people. About this time certain parties were keeping the people in 
a state of painful excitement and agitation on matters of a merely 
secular and political nature, which ministered strifes rather than god- 
ly edifying. Interference between masters and their labourers and 
servants on the adjustment of work and wages led to jealousies, 
feuds, and bickerings, injurious to the real temporal and religious 
welfare of all parties. Against such a spirit and such proceedings 
a faithful, scriptural, and affectionate testimony was borne by the 
missionaries — the effect of which may be seen in the following 
account given by Mr. Harding of a service held at Duncan's, on the 
eve of the 1st of August, 1839 : — " The services of the ' First of 
August' were to me highly interesting. On the eve of the day on 
which the anniversary of Freedom was to be celebrated, we had a 
watch-night meeting at Duncan's. In consequence of the very 
serious indisposition of my excellent superintendent, Mr. Ritchie, 
I was deprived of his valuable assistance and direction on this occa- 



188 



FALMOUTH. 



sion The service was commenced at nine o'clock. We sang, and I 
read a portion of our excellent liturgy, and then read Exod. xii., and 
endeavoured to explain, and made a number of observations on it, 
which enabled me to apply the doctrine of this portion of scripture 
with peculiar advantage, to a large congregation, who were at the 
time closing the first year of civil liberty. We then sang and 
prayed, and I gave the people a short address on the interesting 
character of their present circumstances, endeavouring to impress 
upon their minds the fact that civil liberty is a general blessing. I 
now called on some of the leaders to give us their views of the 
present state of things. The first that spake gave an account of 
his own conversion, and of the bad state of things when the Gospel 
found them, contrasting their present happiness with the past. He 
said — ' We no know there is a God ; we hear nothin' o' Jesus 
Christ ; we no know we have soul to save. Minister learn we all ; 
we owe all to minister. The Gospel learn we, and make we free. 
Dem say one great one do dis for we ; some say dat society and dis 
society do dis here free, and bring it to we country. But God is 
dat great one dat do dis great ting. August ! Time aback we 
know nothin* about August. Now ebry (every) man, ebry woman, 
and ebry child know it ; and we will never forget it while our head 
be hot. I am free man ! free as Briton ! free as Queen himself. 
God bless Victoria! God bless our ministers ! dem our best friend.' 
Another spoke in a similar strain. He said — ' I use go to Church 
of England, but nothin' please me but organ. By and by Wesley- 
ans came to Falmouth ; dey preach so plain, so strong, dat dey stick 
my heart. Den me begin pray ; God change my bad heart, and 
now religion my great comfort. When I first began to pray I 
could not read ; I buy me spelling book and begin to learn. Now 
I read Testament. When the war come, dem search for the 
book among all we people, and took dem away. But I go take one 
strap, tie my spelling book and Testament together, and put dem 
in one dry place under the house. Me use go look at dem some- 
time, but fear to touch dem. Because dey stop dare long time, the 
hants (ants) make dem nest upon dem ; den me took dem away, and 
put dem in anoder place. Now I got plenty book, and nobody take 
dem away. O dis change, how sweet ! Minister tell we dis good, 
we know nothin' before dem come. We live like hog in de wood ; 
we no know how to dress we food ; how we sarve we God ; how to 
save we soul. We know no day but Tuesday and Thursday, beef 
days, and Monday, turn out day. Now we know Monday, Tuesday, 
Wednesday, Thursday, Friday, Saturday, and blessed Sunday. 
Before time we flog for looking in book, for pray, for picking up 
bit paper and reading it. Now no flog ! no chain ! no workhouse ! 
We free ; Gospel make we free. My broders and sisters make we 
use dis free well ; make pray for our dear minister ; for dem dear 
wife ; for our Queen, and for good English people ; and make we 
neber forget de Gospel which minister stand upon de pulpit and 



FALMOUTH. 



189 



preach to we poor sinner.' I then addressed the people for about 
half an hour more, on the necessity of watching against an ungrate- 
ful spirit, grounding my observations on Deut. vi. ' You have now,' 
I reminded them, ' your liberty ; many of you have houses and 
lands, and horses, gold and silver; you eat and are full, and are 
unquestionably in better circumstances than the peasantry of most 
other free states. Beware lest your hearts be lifted up, and you 
forget the Lord your God, who, you have acknowledged, has given 
you the blessing of freedom ; be careful to observe the precepts of 
the blessed Gospel, which in the days of your grievous and oppres- 
sive bondage were your only comfort and safe consolation.' After 
singing and prayer we repaired to our homes, and God was glorified 
for the second year of liberty on which we had entered/' 

Mr. Seccombe being appointed to succeed Mr. Ritchie, the work 
at Duncan's continued to prosper. A residence for the missionary 
was built, and occupied for a short period by Mr. Harding before 
he left the circuit, after which Mr. Seccombe removed with his 
family to it. It was not till the middle of March, 1841, that the 
writer visited Duncan's, on which occasion he was surprised and 
delighted with the extent and respectable aspect of the congrega- 
tion, and though the chapel was far from being finished, it afforded 
room for between ten and eleven hundred hearers, who gladly 
listened to the Gospel message with serious attention. 

Having freely received the glad tidings of salvation the people 
felt their obligation to do something towards conveying them to the 
regions beyond. To afford them an opportunity, a missionary 
meeting was held on the 1st of September, in the early part of the 
day, when the claims of the perishing heathen were advocated by 
Messrs. Edmondson, Randerson, Edney, Chapman, Curtis, and Sec- 
combe. The chapel was crowded ; the collection amounted to 
twenty-one pounds, a sum much below what it would have been 
had they not been contributing most liberally towards the comple- 
tion of their spacious chapel, During Mr. Seccombe's residence at 
Duncan's he laboured with diligence, and succeeded in finishing the 
chapel and advancing the mission in all its departments. 

On the removal of Mr. Seccombe to Brown's Town, Mr. W. H. 
Hann was associated with the writer as a fellow-labourer in the cir- 
cuit. He was a young man of great simplicity of character, emi- 
nent piety, ardent zeal, and very successful in the conversion of 
sinners from the error of their ways. The progress this mission 
had been making under his predecessors, was continued during his 
stay here. About the middle of 1842 the Sabbath-school presented 
an animating appearance. About 200 children and adults (some 
of the latter old and grey-headed) were diligently striving to learn. 
Among the teachers was a very respectable person lately from Eng- 
land, who had been tutor in the family of the proprietor of a neigh- 
bouring estate. His intelligence, humility, and zeal to do good, 
were such as are rarely witnessed in the island. In connection 



190 



FALMOUTH. 



with the anniversary services of the " First of August," there was 
an examination of the scholars, after a school sermon had been 
preached to them. The parents and friends mustered largely ; the 
children acquitted themselves well. The day was concluded by a 
treat of cakes and lemonade to the scholars. The spectacle was as 
cheering as novel in a locality so long enveloped in the darkness of 
slavery — during which the mind of the slave was left without the 
least cultivation. 

About this time a most afflictive incident occurred. One Lord's- 
day, while the writer was preaching to a crowded congregation, 
which filled and partly surrounded the chapel, a negro child, having 
lost sight of the mother, wandered away. After service was over, 
search was made everywhere about the neighbourhood, and along 
the road for several miles, as far as the estate to which the parents 
belonged, but no trace of the little wanderer could be found. The 
poor woman returned to the neighbourhood of the chapel, and spent 
the whole night in searching and wailing over her lost child. Her 
plaintive cries echoed through the hills, but morning came and the 
day passed away, still no discovery was made ; night again threw 
its darkness over the afflicted mother, whose moanings disturbed its 
wonted stillness. On the following day, some carrion crows were 
seen hovering over a spot not far from the highway side. A negro, 
attracted by their movements, went into the pasture, and there 
beheld the lost child half eaten up by these voracious birds. The 
little creature was a lovely negro child, about four years of age, 
plump and healthy. It appears that, having climbed over a dry- 
stone wall and fallen asleep among the tall guinea grass, on awaken- 
ing it could not find its way out, but laying help of some blades of 
the grass, it walked round and round till it fell exhausted, and ex- 
pired through fear and starvation, and so became a prey to the vul- 
tures. After a coroner's inquest had been held, the writer per- 
formed the mournful task of consigning the lacerated corpse to the 
grave. From the time the body was found, the poor mother ceased 
to give any audible expression to her grief, but seemed to bow 
silently to the Divine will What rendered the matter the more 
touching, was, that this had been the first time the child had ever 
been brought to the house of God, on account of the distance, and 
the spot where it perished was only a few hundred yards from the 
chapel, and a very short way from the roadside, along which hun- 
dreds of people had passed, without hearing or seeing it. 

At this time, the writer was called to resign one of his children 
up to Him who hath appointed the bounds of our habitation upon 
the earth. After lingering six weeks, he was taken away from the 
evil to come, at two o'clock in the morning of the 30th J uly, and 
at six o'clock in the evening his remains were committed to the 
grave by Mr. Kerr, Messrs. Seccombe and Hann assisting. He was 
named Thomas Coke, after the founder of the Jamaica mission, and 
had scarcely reached his sixth month when he was cut down like a 



FALMOUTH. 



191 



tender flower. In the view of the chapel and mission-house, ac- 
companying this account, his grave is seen in front of the latter, 
on the brow of the hill above the chapel. 

On th e l 6th of October, as the writer was preaching at Duncan's, he 
was seized with fever ; with difficulty he got to Falmouth the next 
morning, when he was taken alarmingly ill, every remedy seemed 
to fail, till, on Sabbath evening, his medical attendants announced 
that they had done all they could, and if his wife had anything to 
say to him, to say it at once, for that in three or four hours all 
would be over. However, it pleased the Hearer of prayer to spare 
him, in answer to the supplications of his people, though the pro- 
cess of recovery was slow. Kettering, the residence of the late 
Rev. William Knibb of the Baptist Mission, is within a short dis- 
dance of this station. The reminiscences of this locality are of a 
mingled character — much that is cheering, and not a little of an 
opposite nature, occurs to the memory of the writer, while he re- 
cals past scenes. For a long period his esteemed brother Harding, 
whose labours at this place ought never to be forgotten, has been 
an invalid in England, in consequence of his devoted exertions as 
a Christian missionary in Jamaica. 

From the large number of members located inland at a consider- 
able distance from both Falmouth and Duncan's, a new station was 
begun at Duan Vale, about eight or ten miles south of the former. 
In June, 1842, Mr. Marrett, the attorney of the estate, granted a 
piece of land, and a temporary wattled building was erected, which 
afforded shelter for the congregation till a better could be built. In 
1843 Mr. Walton succeeded the writer at Falmouth. At the close 
of the year the members amounted to ten hundred and twelve ; the 
hearers to thirteen hundred; the day scholars to one hundred and 
twenty ; while two hundred attended the Sabbath-schools — at which 
time Duncan's was taken from Falmouth circuit and added to 
Brown's Town. 



192 



CHAPTER XIV. 

ST. ANN'S BAY. 

Situation and appearance of the Parish of St. Ann — A mission begun at Bel' 
lemont — Mr. Shipman invited by Mr. S. D. Drew — Mr. Katcliffe forms a 
Society at the Bay — Outrage on Mr. BatclifFe and family — Persecution and 
death of Mr. Grimsdall— Messrs. Whitehouse, Orton, and Watkis imprisoned 
— Magistrates dismissed— Mr. Orton tried for perjury — Death of Mr. Saxton 
— Persecution — Chapels destroyed— Messrs. Wood and Greenwood driven 
from St. Ann's— Mr. Greenwood imprisoned, and again driven from the 
Parish — Cheering Success of Messrs. Greenwood and Barr — Messrs. White- 
house and Wood — Death of the latter — Death of Mr. Walters — Efforts to 
rebuild the Chapels — A chapel built at the Bay — Great success — Noble libera- 
lity of the people— The Circuit divided — Mr. Kerr — Liberality and disinte- 
restedness of the people. 

Leaving the hot, dry, and dusty road which leads northward, from 
Spanish Town through St. Thomas' in the Vale, the traveller soon 
finds himself, apparently, arrested in his progress by formidable 
rocky barriers, rising, at one part, perpendicularly, on either hand, 
to a great height, where it is plainly visible that the mountain has 
been cleft in two by a strong convulsion of nature. Along the 
base of this fissure the Rio Grande flows over or between masses 
of rock with a velocity and sound regulated by the quantity of rain 
which has fallen in the mountains. Emerging from the Bog- walk, and 
crossing the river by an iron bridge on the left, the vale soon opens 
to the view, with the magnificent mountains on the ndrth, 
which must be scaled ere St. Ann's can be reached. On arriving 
at the foot of Mount Diabolo, the formidable task begins. The 
road soon becomes steep, winding, or zig-zag, yet sufficiently ro- 
mantic to alleviate in some measure the tedium of the long and 
weary ascent. At certain points the view becomes really enchant- 
ing, till, on arriving near the summit, the vale and its encircling 
mountains present one of the grandest displays of scenery which 
even fancy can conceive. The rich colouring of the varied objects 
which throng the level of the vale, enclosed by the perpetual verdure 
of the mountains, illuminated by a tropical sun sparkling in a cloudless 
sky, excite in the mind of the spectator a vivid impression of 
the sublime and beautiful in nature, as if to reward the toil of 
clambering this formidable mountain. After reaching this height, 
the road winds along a level for nearly two miles, then descends on 
the north side of the mountain for a considerable way, and again 
crosses an extensive level, which is laid out in breeding pens, having 
some of the most beautiful pastures in the island. The climate 



sr. ann's bay 



193 



and scenery of this locality reminds one of some parts of England 
in the summer season. The various productions of the mountains 
are cultivated to a considerable extent all around. On reaching 
the northern extremity of this table land, the road again descends 
for several miles till it reaches the seaside at St. Ann's Bay, after 
which it keeps along the shore both east and west, towards the ex- 
tremities of the island. 

The numerous and prosperous societies which have for some 
years existed in this part of the island originated at Bellemont, the 
property of Stephen Drew, Esq., Barrister-at-law, and one of the 
magistrates for the parish. At the earnest request of some very 
intelligent and respectable relatives, particularly of a sister, who 
was a member of the Methodist Society in the West of England, he 
was induced to read Wesley's sermons, which had such an effect 
upon his mind that, in writing to a gentleman whom he wished to 
persuade to read them, he observed — " If you would examine the 
excellent sermons of Mr. Wesley (which, together with the great 
men of the Reformation, are the model by which all their, i. e. 
the missionaries, preaching is framed, and which I would lend you 
very gladly at any time, or you could get from any of the minis- 
ters), you would approve them as much as I do, and would say 
that they are the most useful ever written, and that such preaching 
is the very thing needed to promote the welfare and security of the 
island, and to make us all what we ought to be. I assure you, that 
I am thankful to God for bringing me to the knowledge of them." 
No sooner was he thus enlightened and impressed, than he called 
his household and slaves together every Lord's-day, and read the 
church prayers, and one of Wesley's sermons to them ;— -a marked 
change soon appeared, which encouraged him to go on. Having 
occasion to be in Spanish Town about business, in August, 1817, 
he visited the Methodist Chapel, and introduced himself to Mr. 
Shipman. In the course of conversation, he expressed his desire 
of having his negroes instructed, stating, at the same time, his own 
efforts to enlighten them. Mr. S., pleased with the proposal, pro- 
mised to visit Bellemont for that purpose. However, it was not till 
the 24th of November that he was able to leave Spanish Town. 
The health of Mrs. Shipman having suffered from repeated attacks 
of sickness, a change of air was urged by her physician, aad Mr. 
and Mrs. Drew earnestly invited her to their salubrious neighbour- 
hood. She was kindly entertained by these good friends for nearly 
three months, during which she was of great use, especially to 
several of the negroes. On New-Year's-Day Mr. Shipman bap- 
tized between thirty and forty of them, and formed a Society, of 
which Mr. and Mrs. Drew became members, and the former was 
by Mr. S. appointed to act as Steward. Mr. Shipman being ap- 
pointed to Falmouth the year following, he could visit this new 
station only once in six weeks, as it was distant fifty miles, and 
nearly forty from Spanish Town, with the tremendous ascent of 

2 A 



194 



st. ann's bay. 



Mount Diabolo to increase the difficulty. However, Mr. Drew 
diligently instructed and watched over the infant Society, and with 
such effect, that Mrs. Shipman was forcibly struck at observing 
while there during Christmas holidays, that there was no drumming 
or sports among them, such as were universally practised by the 
slaves at this season ; but all spent the time in the worship of God, 
or in a sober and rational manner, and, instead of singing their old 
songs in the fields, they were singing the hymns they heard in 
their religious meetings, while at night the voice of prayer might 
be heardfrom their huts — all indicating that Divine influence accom- 
panied the instruction given them. 

In a letter to a gentleman, Mr. Drew wrote — " Will you allow 
me to avail myself of this opportunity to state to you the very great 
benefit I have derived in respect to my slaves through the teaching 
of the Wesleyan ministers. I have tried the result of their system, 
and, after two years experience, I am enabled by the event (and, 
therefore, I think, bound in justice to them) to declare that my 
negroes are altogether an altered people, since they have been 
brought by them to a proper and deep sense of real religion. All 
outward immoralities of every kind have been banished from among 
them ; most of those who are marriagable live in the decencies of 
a married life, and the rest, I do assure you, refrain from every 
illicit connection ; I mean, excepting a few on whose minds no very 
serious impression has yet been made, and even they begin to feel 
and abstain from all gross irregularity. The Sabbath is regularly 
spent by all of them under my own eye, as a day of devotion and 
rest. That they may not suffer, I give them weekly a day for their 
own ground, which loss of time is, I am assured, more than com- 
pensated to me by the health and cheerfulness which, after the rest 
of the Sabbath, they can begin their work on Monday. These are 
of themselves great steps towards moral improvement, yet are but 
little compared to my being able to say that, under the peculiar 
views of religion impressed on them, I believe their hearts and 
tempers are much reformed, so that 1 have the strongest proofs, 
arising from their more willing obedience, and their much better 
work, that they are become more valuable as slaves, and more use- 
ful as members of the community. Surely, therefore, these minis- 
ters, who thus act from a conscientious impulse, and without fee 
or reward, do deserve well from every gentleman who has a real re- 
gard to the permanent security of the island, and whose properties 
may be so strengthened and benefited by their unwearied labours." 
Such were the views of a West India proprietor, not only at that 
period, but up to the moment of his death. 

In October of the following year, Mr. Binning, on his way to 
Spanish Town, observed — "I rested two days with our kind friend 
Mr. Drew, — one of these being the Sabbath, I spoke twice to the 
people, and afterwards administered the Sacrament of the Lord's 
Supper to the family, and in all the Lord was graciously present. 



st. ann's bay. 



195 



I was really much pleased with the manner in which the negroes 
conduct themselves under divine service. They sing our hymns 
charmingly, and hear the word with deep reverence and attention." 
In little more than a year, Mr. Ratcliffe received from Mr. Drew £21 
6s. 8d. towards Wesley Chapel in Kingston, and the chapel at Mon- 
tego Bay, and with it the following with regard to the good work 
at Bellemont : — " We have had very great and merciful manifesta- 
tions of the love of God, and, since that, some very heavy trials. 
The Lord, however, gives us to rejoice exceedingly, and our souls 
are firmly staid upon him. The Sabbath that is gone to render in 
its account was a day of great comfort to me, and so indeed was 
the former, as much as I ever experienced ; I had whites, browns, 
and blacks, from different quarters, who came to hear the word of 
God. They now begin, God be praised, to inquire after the things 
which make for their everlasting peace." 

Though Bellemont was the spot first visited by the missionaries, 
the Bay was chosen for the principal station in the circuit, on 
account of its being the parish town, the centre of traffic, and con- 
taining the largest amount of concentrated population, besides being 
a convenient radiating point. On the removal of Mr. Ratcliffe to 
Montego Bay, in January, 1821, St. Ann's became part of his field 
of labour, as it had been of that of Mr. Shipman. In the month 
of April he visited the Bay, and was introduced to the Custos by 
Mr. Drew, who received him most politely, and granted him a 
license on his taking the oaths prescribed by the law of 1812. On 
the following evening he preached to a very genteel congregation, 
who behaved with great attention, some of whom were deeply 
affected. On the Lord's-day he preached twice, and also every even- 
ing while here, and formed a Society of about twenty members, 
who all seemed in earnest to save their souls. In soliciting assis- 
tance from the Committee, he wrote — " I hope the Committee will 
assist us liberally in this new mission ; and lam certain it will form 
a most important acquisition to our cause in Jamaica. The parish 
is beautiful ; the population large ; the magistrates friendly ; and 
when the missionary is fixed there, he will have a circuit of five 
places, viz., St. Ann's Bay, Run-away Bay, Dry Harbour, Ocho 
Rios Bay, and Bellemont." 

In the following year, Mr. Parkinson laboured successfully ; the 
congregations were excellent, and the Society increased in numbers. 
The prospect of establishing a mission became very cheering ; pre- 
mises were secured capable of being altered and improved, so as to 
form a chapel, a dwelling-house, and a burial-ground. Mr. Ratcliffe 
wrote — " St. Ann's Bay Chapel will stand about thirty feet above 
the level of the sea, commanding a beautiful view of the harbour ; 
and, to the east, an extended verdant landscape, richly clothed with 
corn, sugar-cane, and pimento groves. These scenes, where nature 
displays her charms, I would hope, are but faint emblems of the 
moral beauties which are soon to overspread this part of the country." 



196 



st. ann's bay. 



News having arrived in J amaica of the insurrection at Demerara, 
and the outrage committed on Mr. Smith of the London Missionary 
Society, and also on Mr. Shrewsbury, of the Wesleyan Society at 
Barbadoes, when an infuriated mob demolished the new chapel 
and compelled him to flee to St. Vincent's to save his life, the 
magistrates of the parishes of St. Catherine, St. George, and St. 
Ann's, influenced by the advice of the persecutors, refused to grant 
licenses to two Baptist and two Wesleyan missionaries, who applied 
to them for that purpose ; in consequence of which St. Ann's was 
left without a resident missionary during 1824, and enjoyed only a 
third part of the labours of Mr. Ratcliffe, who resided at Falmouth, 
but being licensed for St. Ann's, had the privilege of preaching. 
However, in 1825 he removed to the circuit altogether, and resided 
at the Bay till the month of August, when he found it advisable to 
remove his family to the mountains, to a house connected with a 
chapel at Bellemont, which was nearly completed, in order to enjoy 
the cool air during the hot and sickly season of the year. Of the 
Society at the Bay he observed — " I rejoice much in witnessing the 
simplicity and piety of our negro members at St. Ann's Bay. They 
are a fine set of people, and their Christian experience is very con- 
siderable. Last Sunday I added six on trial, and married one 
couple. Among those admitted on trial are two aged Africans, Mr. 
and Mrs. Johnston, whose great love to the means of grace has often 
affected me. Though they live at the distance of six or seven miles 
from the chapel, and are very feeble in body, scarcely has the sun 
risen when they enter the mission premises to wait the commence- 
ment of the Sabbath morning's exercises. Their snowy locks form 
the|most striking contrast with their faces, whilst every look and 
every expression show how much they are engaged in the work of 
devotion. These are precious fruits of the hallowing influence of 
the'doctrine of the cross." 

It was not till the close of the year that any attempt was made by 
the enemies of the mission to follow the example of the Barbadoes 
rioters. The Light Company of the St. Ann's Regiment of Militia 
being called out to guard the town during the Christmas holidays, 
was disgraced by an attempt of a party of young Creoles belonging 
to it to murder Mr. Ratcliffe and his wife and children, at midnight 
on the 25th of December. While they were supposed to be asleep 
these sanguinary men loaded their muskets, and deliberately fired 
into the premises — the chapel and house being under the same roof. 
Seven balls were extracted from the chapel ; two were found loose 
on the floor, and one was bedded in the pillar nearest the pulpit ; a 
ramrod was found within a few feet of the window of the house. 
By the special providence of Him who numbers the hairs of the 
heads of his people, all the family escaped. The reader may con- 
jecture their danger by observing the drawing of this building — 
which accompanies this account. Most of the balls penetrated the 
window on the right hand of the door, and so nearly on a level with 



st. ann's bay. 



197 



the beds in which Mr. R. and family lay. A small building may also 
be observed in the distance, meant to represent the jail in which 
Messrs. Grimsdall, Whitehouse, andOrton were afterwards incarcer- 
ated, of which notice will be taken. Mr. R. having informed the 
officer in command, left the magistrates to dispose of the affair. Mr. 
Drew put the matter in a train for legal inquiry, but he died before 
the trial came on. The guilty were screened, and nothing more 
would have been heard of it had not Dr. Lushington moved in Par- 
liament that inquiry should be made into it. The Duke of Man- 
chester, then Governor, alarmed at this, endeavoured to ward off 
the disgrace which attached to him and the Jamaica magistracy, 
but without effect. The rector of the parish who was his com- 
panion and counsellor, has ever been regarded as the instigator of 
this outrage, by a sermon he preached to his flock ! The Vestry 
offered a reward of £50 for the discovery and conviction of the 
delinquents ; but, while this was done, they were perfectly acquaint- 
ed with and determined to shield them by a feigned ignorance and 
pretended abhorrence of the atrocious deed ! 

The spirit of persecution, thus awakened and winked at by the 
public authorities, grew bold and active. No sooner had Mr. 
Grimsdall succeeded Mr. Ratcliffe than he felt its malignity. Mr. 
Drake, the head constable, took the lead in the crusade against the 
missionaries. This truly malignant official laboured to prevent 
Mr. Grimsdall obtaining a license at the Quarter Sessions, and 
would have succeeded had not the Custos, the Hon. Henry Cox, 
Esq., used his influence in favour of Mr. G., who obtained a certi- 
ficate after paying £2, 13s. 4d. and taking the oaths. The mission- 
ary having been thus taken out of his hands, he next strove to 
frighten the slaves from attending the services, by taking his stand 
near the chapel and threatening them with imprisonment. At 
other times he would place himself at the door of the chapel to mark 
the slaves who entered, in order to inform their overseers that they 
might be flogged. One evening he laid hands on some of them, 
which brought Mr. Grimsdall out to expostulate with him on his 
illegal and persecuting proceedings. This untiring man next had 
Mr. G. brought before the magistrates on a charge of preaching in 
Miss Jarvis' house at Ocho Rios Bay, which was not licensed. Till 
now no hindrance had been offered, though Messrs. Shipman, Bin- 
ning, and Ratcliffe had been in the habit of doing so before him. 
In his defence, Mr. Grimsdall said that the law under which he was 
summoned had never been published ; that he had given in a paper 
to the Clerk of the Peace, signifying that he desired the place to be 
acknowledged as one in which he held public service, and that he 
thought all that could be done was to compel him to have the house 
licensed. The magistrates admonished and warned him not to hold 
any service till a license was granted. The next charge of the 
constable was, that Mr. G. had been preaching to slaves at unlaw- 
ful hours, according to the Persecuting Act, which had passed the 



198 



st. ann's bay. 



House of Assembly only a few weeks before. He swore that on 
Thursday the 31st of May, between the hours of seven and eight 
o'clock, p.m., he stopped opposite the Methodist Chapel in his 
rounds, accompanied by Mr. Hodges ; on looking he recognized 
several negroes whom he knew to be slaves, sitting on benches in 
the Wesleyan Methodist Chapel at St. Ann's Bay. He waited till 
Mr. Gr. was done, and then laid hold of several negroes as they were 
coming out, which excited some noise, and drew the attention of 
Mr. Grimsdall, who remonstrated with Mr. Drake. The result 
was, Mr. G-. was committed to jail for ten days, as he refused to 
pay the fine imposed by the new law. He requested a copy of his 
examinations and commitment, but till he paid six dollars this favour 
could not be granted him. Thus, for the crime of preaching to slaves 
a little after sunset, he was condemned to ten days' imprisonment. 
Though the law named eight as the hour beyond which it was un- 
lawful to hold such meetings, he had not exceeded that hour — yet 
was he condemned and punished. 

On his confinement in jail he observed — " The place of my con- 
finement was rendered unpleasant by many things, but by none 
more so than by its being on a level with the hospital, which was 
only divided from my room by a very narrow passage, and greatly 
annoyed me with a most intolerable stench." At sunset on Satur- 
day the 16th of June, the jail-keeper informed him that he had if a 
full and free discharge from St. Ann's Bay jail." On which Mr. G. 
remarked — " I was not sorry for this liberation, for I felt anxious 
to be engaged in my duty of preaching the word of life, from which 
my confinement had prevented me, — though they could not hinder 
me from singing and prayer, nor from those manifestations of God 
that made me happy and joyful, and made my prison like a palace. 
The members of the Society were very kind, and did all they could 
to make me comfortable." The next day he preached twice at the 
Bay. 

Having applied for a license for the house at Ocho Rios Bay, 
his application was rejected, though the Custos and another magis- 
trate considered him entitled to it. Conscious of acting legally he 
again preached there, and was again cast into jail, where he was 
kept till bail was given for his appearance before the Court in the 
month of December. However, ere that day arrived he was placed 
beyond the reach of his persecutors. On the 30th of November he 
was seized with fever, which terminated fatally on the 15th of 
December. Mr. Orton, who saw him on his death-bed, wrote — 
" Having to go to Spanish Town, I called at Bellemont on my way 
thither, and was exceedingly sorry to find our dear brother very 
unwell, though immediate danger was not apprehended. Upon in- 
quiring into the state of his mind, it appeared that he was some- 
what exercised with temptations ; but he assured me that he had 
a firm reliance on the merits of Christ. I had the satisfaction to 
find that, by conversation and prayer, his mind was delivered from 



sr. ann's bay. 



199 



the temptation, and the Lord was pleased to impart the comforting 
manifestations of His presence. My business being urgent, I was 
under the painful necessity of leaving him to pursue my journey 
to Spanish Town. Having completed my business, I returned to 
Bellemont as speedily as possible, with the flattering hope of find- 
ing him better, but was painfully disappointed by perceiving marks 
of an early dissolution deeply graven on his countenance. I con- 
versed pointedly with him for a short time on the state of his 
mind. His answers were — i O, everything is quite different now !' 
His reliance was on the cross of Christ for salvation. He was 
perfectly resigned to the will of God, and his patience under his 
sufferings was exemplary. During the few last hours of his life 
he suffered occasional delirium ; but, even then, he gave frequent 
tokens of his happy frame of mind, often waving his hand, with 
an expressive countenance, which seemed to say to the sur- 
rounding mourning friends ' Angels beckon me away !' Thus are 
his dear partner and lovely infant bereaved of an affectionate hus- 
band and a tender parent ; and we, as his brethren, are called to 
sustain the loss of a much esteemed brother; and you and the 
Church the loss of a faithful, zealous, and useful missionary." 

Mr. Whitehouse being appointed to succeed Mr. Grimsdall, he 
soon began to partake of his sufferings through the determined hos- 
tility of the head constable, who, having lost his late victim by 
death, now seized upon his successor. 

On the 9th of August, 1828, soon after Mr. Whitehouse had left 
Bellemont for St. Ann's Bay, he was met by Mr. Drake, who 
said, " Sir, I have a warrant for you." Mr. W. replied, " I am 
going to St. Ann's Bay, and shall not attempt to conceal myself 
there." He then rode a few miles towards the Bay, and pulling 
up his horse said, " Sir, I am directed to take you before the 
first magistrate, and there is one here waiting for you." They 
then went to the house of an elderly lady, and, after waiting a consi- 
derable time, a gentleman arrived, and proceeded to write out a 
commitment to the common jail, observing that he " must do his 
duty." Mr. W. then said, " Sir, I should think it a favour to be 
sentenced to be bound in irons in the marketplace, instead of being 
sent to the cell to which my predecessor was committed, as it is 
pretty generally believed that his death was occasioned by his con- 
finement there." The answer was — " The magistrates of St. Ann's 
were determined to do their duty ; that they did not care for what 
the public said of them, and that whoever might come, he should 
be treated just as he (Mr. G.) had been." The constable forthwith 
conducted him to jail. Mr. W.'s account is as follows : — " On my 
arrival at the jail, I was conducted to the apartment in which that 
man of God, the late Mr. Grimsdall, had been twice imprisoned. 
On entering, I found it occupied by an insane black woman, whom 
the jailer immediately ordered to be removed to another apart- 
ment. The cell was exceedingly filthy, and the stench unbearable. 



200 



ST. ANN S BAY. 



It was now eight o'clock, and the jailer said he ' must lock up/ I 
desired that the cell floor might, at least, be swept, which a few 
friends immediately attended to. There was no bed provided for 
me, — not even one of straw ; and it was not until I made several 
remarks to the jailer, that a few benches from the chapel were al- 
lowed to be brought in, on which to make a bed. A large quantity 
of vinegar, and of strong camphorated rum, was thrown upon the 
floor and walls, for the purpose of counteracting the very disagree- 
able effluvia which proceeded from the filth, with which the place 
abounded, but this produced very little effect. The sea-breeze had 
subsided, and the only window from which I could obtain the least 
air was was just above the place in which all the filth of the pre- 
mises was deposited. There is a second window in the apartment, 
but it had been nailed up for the purpose of preventing the poor 
deranged woman from making her escape from the jail. There are 
three other apartments upon the same floor, which are separated 
from this only by low walls, above which is wood lattice-work ; two 
of them form the hospital, and one is now occupied by three sick 
men. The four apartments occupy a space of twenty-five feet 
square. Underneath the floor are three other apartments ; one of 
them is occupied by about a dozen unhappy creatures, who are to 
be tried for various offences-at the ensuing Quarter Sessions ; an- 
other by two men under sentence of death for murder ; and the 
third by a number of slaves, who have been taken by the Marshal 
for debt, and are waiting to be sold. One of the wretched men, 
now under sentence of death is very sick ; his groans, together 
with the grating noise of the irons of several of the prisoners, and 
the intense heat of the place, prevented me from sleeping many 
minutes together ; besides, I was so much affected by the stench of 
the jail and hospital, that I was obliged to be constantly dipping 
my handkerchief into strong camphorated spirit, and applying it 
to my nostrils. This morning the Deputy- Marshal came to me, 
and said that he had i one favour to request, of me, which was, that 
I would not attempt to preach, nor hold any meeting, as he had 
received from the magistrates very particular directions concerning 
me/ As. a very large congregation assembled at the chapel, the 
constable ordered them to disperse ; but Mr. Watkis, a free person 
of colour, who had been educated in England, and who was a 
Leader and Society Steward, said to him that as they had met to 
worship God, as soon as they had sung and prayed they would 
separate." 

Mr. Orton having received a note from Mr. W., hastened to St. ^ 
Ann's Bay, and arrived on the morning of the 12th, and having 
preached in the evening, was next day committed to jail. The 17th 
being the Sabbath, a few of the people having met in the chapel 
and engaged in prayer, the constable went and took Mr. Watkis to 
jail, for preaching and praying on the previous Lord's-day. On the 
20th he was brought before one of the magistrates, who liberated 



st. Ann's bay. 



201 



him, after binding him over to appear at the following Court of 
Quarter Sessions — himself in a bond of £100, and a friend in one 
of £50. In order to be saved from the persecution of the constable, 
Mr. W. offered to take the oath prescribed by the law, that he 
might be allowed to worship God in quiet, but his request was 
refused. 

While in prison, Messrs Whitehouse and Orton endeavoured to 
instruct the prisoners, some of whom were as ignorant as the beasts 
of the field. Through the heat and stench of the prison, Mr. 
Orton became seriously ill, which was increased by the distracting 
noise of the prisoners. Mr. Whitehouse wrote to the Deputy- 
Marshal, to apprise him of the danger of keeping Mr. O. any longer 
in confinement ; on which that officer immediately allowed both to 
remove as prisoners of honour. As soon as this took place, Mr. 
Drake, the unwearied tormentor of the missionaries, rode off to a 
magistrate to complain of this indulgence of the Deputy-Marshal, 
who granted it on his own responsibility. On the 23d, a messenger 
arrived with a writ of Habeas Corpus, and directions to the Deputy- 
Marshal to remove his prisoners to the jail in Kingston. On the 
29th, they were brought before his honour the Chief Justice, who, 
after remarking that he had carefully examined the whole proceed- 
ings, said, that he had no hesitation whatever in discharging them, 
which was accordingly done. To this happy consummation, the 
brotherly and zealous efforts of Messrs. Duncan, Barry, and Mur- 
ray greatly contributed. The conduct of the authorities in Kings- 
ton was a perfect contrast to that of those of St. Ann's. Nothing 
could exceed it in politeness and kindness : to this praise the con- 
duct of the Deputy-Marshal of St. Ann's also is justly entitled. 

The Chief Justice, who so nobly discharged his duty on this 
occasion, was Angling Scarlett, Esq., who soon after sailed for 
England. But the affair did not rest here. His Excellency the 
Governor, Sir John Keane, dismissed those magistrates from their 
office who had illegally imprisoned the missionaries, which so vexed 
them that "they laid a plot to prosecute Mr. Orton for perjury ! 
Accordingly, on the 22d of October, he was placed at the bar of 
the Grand Court, charged with wilful perjury, &c. Though he was 
extremely ill and weak, he was kept in court during the whole day, 
where he shuddered at the depositions that were made by the un- 
happy men, who were actually committing the crime which they 
endeavoured to fix on him. The first witness was Mr. S. Rose, one 
of the dismissed magistrates; the second, Mr. Drake, the active 
persecuting constable ; the third, a Mr. Robertson ; and the fourth, 
one who was not even in St. Ann's Bay. The evidence for Mr. O. 
were Messrs. Duncan and Barry, and Mr. Bromley, Baptist mis- 
sionary, besides several who were not required by the court. For 
the prosecutors, the Attorney- General and Mr. Batty were retained 
as counsel ; and for the prisoners, Mr. Dallas. After nearly an 
hour's consultation, the jury brought in a verdict "Not Guilty" on 

2 B 



202 



ST. JmifS BAY. 



which Mr. Orton was instantly surrounded by congratulating 
friends, who rejoiced that truth had triumphed over prejudice. The 
charge was, that " Messrs. Barry and Duncan had not offered bail 
for Mr. Orton at St. Ann's Bay," which Mr. O. had sworn to in his 
affidavits, when applying for a writ of Habeas Corpus. 

The health of Mr. O never fully returned after his confinement 
at St. Ann's Bay. In the midst of all these persecutions the work 
of God continued to prosper. At the close of the year, the report 
was — " The great work of our Divine Lord is in a very prosperous 
state on this station. Notwithstanding the opposition and serious 
persecution we have been called to endure in the course of the past 
year, we have been enabled to rejoice in our God and go forward. 
The Lord has deigned to favour us with many seasons of the out- 
pouring of His Spirit, so that when we have been weak, then we 
have been strong. Our congregations have been increasingly large 
and attentive, and we are looking for the special effusion of the 
Holy Ghost." The number of members was two hundred and 
ninety-two. 

During the following year, the mission branched out in all direc- 
tions as far as to Port Maria. Mr. Saxton, Mr. Whitehouse's col- 
league, in October, 1 830, wrote — " The prospects throughout this 
extensive and important circuit, are delightfully encouraging — the 
fields are white unto the harvest.' The people around us are cry- 
ing ' come over and help us.' Last week an invitation was sent 
to us to visit the interior of St. Mary's, about twenty-five miles 
from Oracabessa Bay, where there is a large slave population, and 
a great number of free settlers, but at present we cannot comply ; 
for, notwithstanding the exertions of my respected superintendent, 
who labours beyond his strength, and the mercy of my heavenly 
Father towards me, in giving me such a measure of health, so that, 
with little exception, I have been able to attend to my appoint- 
ments, the places at present upon the plan are very inadequately 
supplied. I trust, however, that very soon these mountains will 
re-echo the praises of Immanuel." Just on the same day of the 
following month on which he wrote the above he was numbered 
with the dead ! Having been seized with fever, Mr. Whitehouse 
had him removed to Bellemont, as soon as he was able to bear the 
journey. The change produced by the mountain air excited hope 
that all danger was over, but on the second day he relapsed. Mr. 
Whitehouse expressed his fears to the doctor that he was in dan- 
ger, soon after which a change took place, and his spirit took its 
flight. Mr. W. wrote — " In his death the connexion has lost a 
zealous and faithful missionary ; the Societies on this extensive cir- 
cuit, an affectionate and useful minister ; the rising generation, a 
sincere friend, and I, a beloved brother and fellow-labourer. He 
appeared to have but one object in all he did, and that was the 
promotion of the glory of God. To accomplish this he was instant 
in season and out of season. To the children of the school at St. 



st. ann's bay. 



203 



Ann's Bay he had greatly endeared himself. Although the intelli- 
gence of his death did not arrive at the Bay until late on Satur- 
day evening, yet at midnight about a dozen of them arrived at 
Bellemont, wet and weary. They collected around the corpse of 
their friend, instructor, and minister ; their throbbing hearts were 
ready to break, and they wept aloud ; and, at this solemn hour, a 
number of persons having come to the misson-house from various 
quarters, I read the forty-ninth and fiftieth chapters of the book 
of Genesis. At an early hour, we began to prepare for removing 
the body of our departed brother to Ebenezer, and the children 
who had walked fourteen miles already, resolved to follow the 
corpse eleven miles farther to the place of interment." A short 
time before he died, Mr. W. read the first chapter of Philippians, 
and prayed with him, when he was so happy as scarcely to (i know 
whether he was in the body or out of the body." On asking if he 
felt the presence of the Lord, he replied, " O, yes ; the Lord is 
better to me than I deserve." Again, Mr. W. said, " Have you 
firm hold of Christ ?" He answered, et I am on the right founda- 
tion ; I feel I am an unprofitable servant, but the Lord is very good 
to me." On Mr. W. saying " There is a fountain open for sin and 
uncleanness." He said, in reply, " Yes, that is all my hope," and 
soon after entered into the joy of his Lord. His earnest and affec- 
tionate manner of preaching greatly endeared him to the people 
who enjoyed his ministry. He was in the twenty-eighth year 
of his age, and second of his ministry. 

That the spirit of persecution which had long given St. Ann's 
a bad eminence among the parishes of the island, should slumber 
when the insurrection broke out at the close of 1831, was not to be 
expected. Already there were elements prepared for a display of 
intolerance, that brought prominently into view the real character of 
West Indian slavery. No wonder that "the Colonial Church 
Union " should have originated in St. Ann's, where the Rector, and 
others high in office, had already displayed a temper indicative of 
determination to destroy the mission if possible. The conduct of 
the persecutors was such that the missionaries were compelled to 
escape for their lives to Kingston, and for many months it was im- 
possible for them to venture to return without the risk of assassi- 
nation. When " the Colonial Unionists " had resolved on destroy- 
ing the sectarian chapels, they proceeded to carry out their plans 
of extermination in St. Ann's, and so effectually did they execute 
them, that not a fragment of either Baptist or Wesleyan mission 
property was spared. While outrageous mobs were demolishing 
the chapels, a member of the House of Assembly, magistrates, cap- 
tains of militia, the Head Constable, the Deputy -Marshal, and other 
leading men of the parish, headed and stimulated them in their sa- 
crilegious work. A house, which was rented at Blackheath by the 
missionaries, was spared, through the proprietor, Mr. Foreman, 
taking possession of it himself, placing a notice on the gate — " This 
house to be let" and guarding it day and night with his slaves. 



204 



ST. ANN S BAY. 



The missionaries having eluded their persecutors, all that they 
could do was to hang them in effigy ! Mr. Wood wrote, — " In my 
last, I mentioned Mr. Whitehouse, Mr. Nichols, (Baptist mis- 
sionary,) and myself having been hanged in effigy on St. Ann's 
Bay, subsequently to the demolition of the chapels. This exhibi- 
tion occurred in the Market-place ; and while it was made, his 
Honour the Custos came into the town, when he ordered the whole 
to be taken down, which was accordingly done. At this conduct 
of the Custos the mob was much enraged ; and, after his Honour 
had left the Bay, a Jew of the name of Israel, who was one of the 
leading characters in destroying the chapels, caused the gallows to 
be re-erected on his own premises, and our effigies again dangled 
in the air ; while the same individual boasted of his determination 
not to allow any one to interrupt him, as he was then on his own 
ground. We were thus represented for several days and nights ; 
and two or three of our leaders were, on this second occasion, 
added ' to diversify the scene/ and volleys of musket shots were 
fired at us every morning by daybreak. What renders this affair 
the more worthy of notice, is the circumstance of Satan being re- 
presented as at the top of the gallows, and uttering the following 
words, painted in very large characters : — ' These are my beloved, 
in whom I am well pleased' This shows, at one view, the active 
part the Jews have taken in our persecutions, their hatred to 
Christianity, and their blasphemous contempt of the Son of God 
himself." 

. How the poor slaves suffered during this reign of terror may 
easily be imagined. Among the victims of the oppressors Henry 
Williams was one of the most distinguished. For having spent 
the last night of the year, with some of his friends, in prayer to 
God, he was seized, tried, and sentenced to be cruelly flogged ; and 
while he was under the lash, the Rector is reported to have stood 
by, and as the blood was flowing from Henry's back and sides, he 

exclaimed, " d n him ; I wish it was his heart's blood that 

was coming from him !" This miserable man lived long enough to 
become an object of pity to the whole public of Jamaica, and to 
stand indebted to the Christian sympathy of Baptist and Wesleyan 
missionaries, who hastened to show him kindness, when he was de- 
serted by his former associates, in a season of overwhelming do- 
mestic calamity. 

Messrs. Wood and Greenwood, being appointed to St. Ann's, 
felt deeply anxious to enter upon their labours among the scattered 
and suffering congregations ; but it was not until the month of June 
that they durst venture to make the attempt, nor was it concluded 
to be safe to go by land. They accordingly embarked in a small 
sloop, called the Athol, and arrived at St. Ann's Bay on Monday, 
the 1 1th of June. They observed : " A boat from the barque Juno 
was immediately sent to take us to that vessel. We remained 
on board about half an hour, and then went ashore, accompanied 
by several frie nds who had come to congratulate us on board the 



ST. AXX'S BAY. 



205 



ship. We landed without the least appearance of molestation; 
in fact, the profound stillness of the place at that moment, (which 
could scarcely be exceeded if all the inhabitants of the town had 
fled as rebels to the woods,) together with the disgraceful and 
melancholy sight of demolished buildings, &c, made an indescrib- 
able impression on our minds. As we moved along the streets, 
the negroes and others gazed upon us as if we had been ' dead and 
were come alive again and not a few expressed their joy at see- 
ing us where vengeance had been sworn against any missionary 
who should ever dare to make his appearance in that parish. 
Several white men were in the street towards the upper part of the 
town, who came a few paces to meet us, as if to offer an insult ; 
but, seeing their situation, they judged that rudeness would not be 
good policy. Having arrived at the house of one of our friends, 
our own free people and other well-wishers on the Bay were soon 
gathered around us, when we engaged in the pleasing exercise of 
singing and prayer, — a privilege which the mighty as well as the 
vulgar have endeavoured to banish for ever from that persecuted 
people, We then proceeded to our lodgings, where we remained 
until Friday, the 15th instant. 

' From the day we landed to the day of our leaving, great agita- 
tion prevailed in the Bay, as appeared from the foolish and insult- 
ing placards stuck up in different parts of the town, and from what 
the Jews and others who pulled down the chapels were doing, as 
rumour said, to collect their forces for a desperate attack on our 
persons, and also on the house in which we lodged. An attempt 
was designed to be made on Wednesday, the 13th ; but resistance 
being contemplated by those who were determined to protect us at 
the hazard of their own lives, the members of the Colonial Church 
Union judged it safer to defer the matter until Saturday, the day 
of muster for the Militia. 

* The brave-hearted freemen, who had hailed our return to the 
parish with gratitude and pleasure, had agreed among themselves 
not to be tame spectators while their ministers should be ill-treated 
or murdered. We deemed it advisable, therefore, to acquaint his 
Honour the Custos with our arrival in the parish, as well as of the 
threats of our enemies, and to request his protection. The follow- 
ing is a copy of our correspondence with that gentleman : — 

' St. Ann's Bay, 14th Jan., 1832. 

' Honoured Sir, — We take the liberty of respectfully informing 
your Honour that we have arrived at this place, for the purpose of 
re-opening our mission in the parish of St. Ann; but we are under 
the painful necessity of stating that placards have been placed at 
different parts of the town of St. Ann's Bay, threatening violence 
to our persons, if we do not immediately quit the place. 

' We have also to inform your Honour that we have come to 
the parish in accordance with the wishes of no inconsiderable 



206 



ST. ANN S BAT. 



number of respectable free persons, who formerly attended these 
places of Divine worship, which have been wantonly destroyed by 
lawless mobs ; which free persons have entered into a determina- 
tion to defend their ministers against any outrageous attacks from 
those whose past conduct every Christian must deeply deplore. 

4 We cannot justify ourselves in attempting to leave the parish 
while the entreaties of our people are so general and urgent for us 
to remain ; and, fearing the appalling consequences of any violent 
steps on the part of the infuriated, who have issued their threats 
in almost every way, we feel ourselves called upon to request that 
your Honour will adopt such measures for our protection in this 
parish against the assassin and bloodthirsty as shall secure to us 
that safety which his Majesty's peaceable and most loyal subjects 
have a right to expect and claim. 

* We beg further to state that it is currently reported on the 
Bay that Saturday next, being muster day, is appointed for at- 
tempting violence on our persons and lives, or the Friday night 
preceding. Therefore, we do hope that your Honour will lose no 
time in affording us that ample protection which our very peculiar 
and painful circumstances render necessary, and urge us to request 
at your hands. 

■ We have the honour to be, honoured Sir, your most obedient 

humble Servants, 

(Signed) William Wood, ) T x 7 , AT . . 
v & J 7 ^ 'V Wesleyan Missionaries. 

John Greenwood, J J 

' To the Hon. Henry Cox, Custos of St. Ann's.' 

'Epping, June 14th, 1832. 
'Gentlemen, — I most deeply deplore the unfortunate violence 
that has been displayed in the destruction of the chapels in St. 
Ann's, and I am sorry to observe that a violent spirit still exists in 
almost the whole of the parishioners ; so much so, that I have not 
the means of protecting you I, therefore, most strongly urge you 
to desist from holding meetings till that spirit has subsided ; for, at 
present, it rages to that degree, that they seem reckless of any 
danger attending their outrageous and unlawful acts. / should not 
consider my own person safe were I to attempt to interfere on your 
behalf. 

' I am, Gentlemen, your most obedient Servant, 

(Signed) Henry Cox. 
1 To Messrs. Wood and Greenwood. 5 " 

Such was the helpless condition to which the Chief Magistrate 
was reduced. What, then, must have been that of the missionaries 
and their oppressed people ? What provocation was given to these 
sanguinary men ? The missionaries were peaceable, and so were 
all their people, during martial law, while all the white men were 
away from the properties on militia duty, the slaves continued to 



ST. ANN S BAY. 



207 



attend regularly to their accustomed work ! No alternative being 
left but either to stay and be the victims and witnesses of a sangui- 
nary affray, or leave the parish, the latter step was taken, as be- 
coming the ministers of a peaceful religion, which enjoins on its pro- 
fessors, " When they persecute you in one city, flee ye into an- 
other." 

After continuing in Kingston till the 6th July, Mr. Greenwood 
left for Port Maria, one of the stations in, the St. Ann's circuit, 
but in another parish (St. Mary's) and at a considerable distance, 
presuming that no one would interfere with him. He preached on 
the morning of the Lord's-day, the 8th, without any interruption ; 
but in the evening, a Jew, named Henry M. Lee, along with some 
companions, behaved in a disgraceful manner, to the annoyance of 
the minister and the congregation. Next day he made an affidavit 
before the magistrates, who granted a warrant for the apprehension 
of Mr. Greenwood. He was forthwith taken to the Court-house, be- 
fore R. L. Stephens, G. Vidal, andH. Cox, jun., Esqs., and charged 
with preaching contrary to law. Mr. G. rested his defence upon 
his having been licensed in one parish, which the Attorney-General 
had decided was sufficient for any parish in the island ; but Mr. 
Cox indignantly told him that they did not send for him to teach 
them the law, as they had laws of their own, and also that he was 
not licensed for the parish of St. Mary, and^never would be. After 
a most humiliating exhibition of magisterial meanness, they bound 
him over to appear at the Court of Quarter Sessions, which was to 
be held on the 17th, in two sureties of £50 each, and himself in 
£100. To this he demurred, on which he was at once sent to jail. 
On entering the jail yard, he observed — " My feelings were har- 
rowed up at seeing the bare, lacerated, and bleeding backs of seve- 
ral negroes, chiefly women. These negroes had come to the ma- 
gistrates to complain of the ill-treatment they had met with from 
their overseer, but their complaint was declared to be frivolous, 
and they were ordered to be severely flagellated. The jailer said 
he did not know what to do with me, as the jail was in such a bad 
state. After showing me the condemned cells, and asking me to make 
choice of one of them, he took me to the Marine Hospital, in the 
same yard, and he said he had no objection to my remaining there. 
The matron very kindly engaged to make me as comfortable as she 
could. But when night came on, I found that efforts had been 
making to get me among the rest of the prisoners. To this I had 
no particular objection ; but the jailer being absent, and a slave 
only being sent, I refused to go below, saying, ' If any one requires 
me to go below, let him come and take me himself.' My friends 
having called to see me, we prayed together, which gave great 
umbrage to our enemies, but we chose to obey God rather than 
man/' 

Two days after he was committed, he was advised to give the 
required bail. Of his place of confinement he observed — " The 



208 



st. ann's bay. 



floor is nothing but damp clay ; a very nauseous effluvium comes 
from the walls and ground ; the jail door is generally locked from 
six p.m. to six a.m,. add to this the place is very confined, scarcely 
a breath of air can be admitted either day or night : this circum- 
stance rendered the place very unhealthy." 

On the 24th of August he again returned to Kingston, which left 
the people once more entirely destitute of pastoral attention, and 
exposed to the numerous wily, malignant, and powerful enemies 
who sought to extirpate every vestige of real religion from among 
them. At the following Annual District Meeting the brethren, in 
reporting on the state of the mission, observed — " We feel incom- 
petent to give anything like a correct report of this very extensive 
and promising circuit ; but from what we have seen, and from what 
we can learn by means of correspondence with some of the official 
characters connected with several of the places, it affords us cause 
of sincere thankfulness that the people generally, notwithstanding 
their extremely distressing privations, in the destruction of their 
chapels, the absence of their ministers, and their consequent exclu- 
sion from the public ordinances of religion, hold fast their profes- 
sion, and endeavour to keep themselves in the love of God. We 
regret to hear that some of our slave members, under the influence 
of that fear i which bringeth a snare,' and in order to avoid perse- 
cution, have left the w|gv of life, and joined themselves to the ene- 
mies of God and his people. These instances, however, we believe, 
are few ; and while we gratefully acknowledge the Divine influence 
manifested in those who stand fast in the Lord, we cannot but sym- 
pathize with as many as have been compelled, from the peculiarity 
of their circumstances, to go back again to the world, and we look 
forward with earnest solicitude to the time, and pray that it may 
not be distant, when God shall visit and redeem this deeply injured 
people out of all their distresses." 

The Chief Justice, in an address to the Grand Jury for the county 
of Surrey, decided that the Toleration Act of 1st William and 
Mary, and the 10th of Anne, were both in force in J amaica, but 
from which Justice Bernard dissented. Mr. Greenwood having, in 
the Bishop's office, licensed five houses in St. Ann's circuit, coura- 
geously recommenced his labours, — even at St. Ann's Bay, where 
the power of His Excellency the Earl of Mulgrave had recently 
been exercised to curb the insolence of the " Colonial Unionists." 
On the first Sabbath, some of the cashiered magistrates made an 
effort to get up a mob to assail him, but without success. The 
battle was turning to the gate, and the blow given to the faction 
that terminated in its extinction, though not immediately. 

When the Court of Quarter Sessions for St. Ann's came round, 
Mr. Greenwood applied to be qualified according to the provisions 
of the Toleration Act, declared to be in force in the island by the 
Chief Justice. But the spirit of persecution, though partially 
chained, was in no way mitigated. Some of the magistrates con- 



st. ann's bay. 



209 



ducted themselves in so violent a way, that the Custos urged Mr. 
Greenwood to retire from the court, to save himself from personal 
injury. Immediately several persons made a rush towards Mr. G. 
in order to seize him, but, providentially, he made his escape 
through a private door, and got out of their reach without receiving 
hurt. 

Again he was compelled to take refuge in Kingston till the 1 6th 
of September, when he and Mr. Crookes set out in order to visit 
the persecuted flock. The next day they arrived at St. Ann's Bay, 
where matters looked a little settled, in consequence of three com- 
panies of his Majesty's troops having been quartered in the parish. 
At Port Maria and Morely they were pleased with the state of the 
people, who listened gladly to sermons preached on Friday and 
Sabbath morning. Mr. G. wrote — " After preaching in the morn- 
ing we returned to St. Ann's Bay, and on the way we had several 
pleasing opportunities of praying with different families connected 
with religious societies. We met several of the ' Unionists' but 
not one attempted to insult us, though twelve months ago it w r as 
running considerable risk to travel the road. On Sunday, the 22d, 
in the morning I preached at St. Ann's Bay, in a house that had 
been registered in the Bishop's office, to about 500 people. The 
joy that beamed in the countenances of the auditors was indescrib- 
able ; so glad were they to hear the Gospel once more. In that 
parish, where the God of Christians has been so insulted, in the 
destruction of his houses, and the banishment of his messengers, 
the fields are white unto the harvest ; and we have sanguine hopes 
that, when proper attention can be paid to the moral culture of the 
people, religion will spread very extensively." 

In 1834, Messrs. Greenwood and Barr were permitted to witness 
the first great step towards freedom and its effect on the long 
afflicted slaves in St. Ann's. In October, they wrote a most cheer- 
ing account of the prospects of better days which were opening up 
before them. At St. Ann's Bay, they observed — " The members 
of our Society here are not weary in well doing ; many of them, 
we believe, enjoy that inward kingdom which consists in righteous- 
ness, peace and joy in the Holy Ghost. The classes are well at- 
tended. Our Leaders are diligent and faithful in the discharge of 
their responsible duties ; and, although our people have very indif- 
ferent accommodation, having only a small shed, which covers about 
two-thirds of them from the sun, yet their attendance on the ordi- 
nances of God, their contributions towards the support of religion, 
and their pious deportment, prove that they love both God and his 
cause. During the last quarter we have had an increase of sixty- 
six members." 

Messrs. Whitehouse and Wood prosecuted their labours in 1835 
with diligence and success, till the latter was cut of by fever on the 
24th of May. He had recently returned to the island after visiting 
his friends in England. He was a young man much loved by his 

2 c 



210 



st. ann's bay. 



brethren for his humility, piety, kindness, and zeal in his work as a 
missionary. His superintendent, Mr. Whitehouse, gave some ac- 
count of his death-bed to a few of the missionaries in Kingston soon 
after his decease, of which the writer recorded the following : — 
" On Saturday evening previous to his death, his medical atten- 
dant called to see him, and, as he left him, he begged Mr. White- 
house to call him back. Mr. W. smiled, and asked what he wanted 
with the doctor. He replied, ' I have something to say to him 
that deeply concerns his interests — do call him.' On which Mr. 
W. followed the Doctor to the gate, and begged he would return 
just to please his patient. As he stepped into the room the dying 
man said, with great emphasis, * Doctor, I only wish to tell you 1 
am going to glory/ The doctor laughed and went away. During 
the evening he continued in full possession of his senses, but would 
touch neither food nor medicine. Asking the friends who offered 
them, { Why they wished to keep him back from heaven ?' To- 
wards morning he seemed to rest quietly. About six o'clock, Mr. 
Whitehouse asked him if it was all fair before him ? He answered, 
1 There is not a cloud.' Soon afterwards, he exclaimed, ' There he 
is.' Mr. W. asked 1 Who ?' ' My Redeemer,' was the reply, and 
in a few minutes his happy spirit most peacefully entered into rest.'* 
Mr. W. said it was the most blessed death-bed scene he ever wit- 
nessed, and that it made a deep impression upon the medical gentle- 
man who attended him. His excellent wife, to whom he had been 
married only a few months, was thus left the second time the widow 
of a Jamaica missionary. She was the relict of the late Mr. Jen- 
kins, mentioned in other parts of this work. 

Mr. Walters was sent to supply the place of Mr. Wood soon 
after his decease; but, alas ! he, too, was consigned to the tomb in 
the course of two weeks after his arrival at St. Ann's Bay. Mr. 
Whitehouse gave the following account of this painful event : — 
a Brother Walters arrived in this circuit on Saturday, June 27th, 
and on Sunday, the 28th, opened and closed his commission at St. 
Ann's Bay. It was remarked by several of the people that Mr. 
Walters had preached his own funeral sermon. The subject of 
death occupied a prominent place in his Sabbath labours, and it was 
evident that he considered the time of his departure to be at hand. 
He even ventured to assert, whilst preaching on the Sunday, that 
he was come to St. Ann's to be buried. His apprehensions were 
the more remarkable, as he appeared quite to enjoy his removal 
from Spanish Town to St. Ann's. I saw him on Monday, the 29th, 
when I thought he appeared more cheerful than I had seen him for 
some time past. In fact, I remarked, that I thought he seemed to 
be more healthy than I had ever seen him. He informed me that 
the preceding day, Sunday, was one of the happiest he had ever 
enjoyed. Indeed, I believe he was so led out in public exercises as 
to have exceeded his strength. He said he felt as if he had lost a 
burden. On the evening of the same day he complained a little ; 



ST. ANNS BAY. 



211 



on the following day, Tuesday, he took medicine ; on Wednesday 
the doctor was called in ; and on Sunday, July 5th, there was little 
hope of his recovery; however, there appeared a favourable change 
afterwards, and for several days, we hoped that God would restore 
him ; but on Saturday morning, the 1 1th inst., at half-past six 
o'clock, the Lord was pleased to terminate his sufferings, by taking 
him to himself. From the commencement of the attack, Mr. 
Walters spoke of nothing scarcely but death, and his last words 
were — 

' Then ask the monster, Where's thy sting ? 
And where's thy victory, boasting grave ?' 

He was a most affectionate young man, diligent in visiting the sick 
and the poor, and in the pulpit fervent and earnest in urging his 
hearers to seek salvation through faith in the blood of the Re- 
deemer." Thus were two young missionaries cut down in the same 
house, within a few weeks of each other, and their wives left 
to drink the widow's cup. On the north east of the chapel, not far 
from where they died, their dust lies side by side, resting in hope of 
the resurrection. 

The loss of these missionaries was much felt, especially as the 
season of trouble was now rapidly passing away, and one of peace 
and prosperity opening. Mr. Whitehouse now felt it to be impera- 
tive to make every effort to get the demolished chapels re-erected, 
and, if possible, an additional number built, to accommodate the 
vast numbers who flocked to hear the Gospel from every part of 
the parish, and even beyond its limits for many miles. He therefore 
laid the matter before the Committee, through the District Meet- 
ing, and also by numerous statements of great importance. He 
proposed a division of the circuit into three, and earnestly called 
for two colleagues to help him, without delay. For sometime 
the want of a sufficient grant towards making a beginning retarded 
his plans, but at length the Committee responded to his calls, and 
he began to carry them into execution. As soon as Mr. Edmondson, 
the chairman of the District, received the decision of the Committee, 
he wrote, under date March 11, 1836, " I am exceedingly glad 
that the Committee have been able to raise their grants for St. 
Ann's Bay, and Ocho Rios chapels to £600 each. Mr. Whitehouse 
will now proceed with the erection ; and the persecuted, long- 
neglected, but persevering people of those places will soon, through 
the Divine blessing, and British liberality, be favoured again with 
a covering from the sun and rain while worshipping God. Imme- 
diately after receiving your letter of January 15, I wrote to Mr. 
Whitehouse respecting Blackheath, and about a week after had an 
interview with him. The case seems to me a very distressing one, 
and to have claims on the sympathy and aid of the Committee be- 
yond any other I know, or have ever known ; and I most sincerely 
wish the superintendent's request may by some means soon be met. 



212 



st. ann's bay. 



I fear very little can be done by local exertions. St. Ann's has 
been the seat of the most violent persecutions ; and although the 
congregations are now protected by the strong arm of the law, and 
are permitted to worship in peace, there is no general disposition 
to help a cause like ours ; and the negro, distressed as he still is, 
cannot be expected out of his pittance to do much beyond contribu- 
tions of the ordinary kind. But Mr. Whitehouse has calculated on 
receiving something, and has asked the Committee so much less in 
the way of grant than he otherwise must have solicited. A school- 
house at either of his new places would be far too small. To this 
idea you must add the consideration of future increase, in a parish 
where our mission has gained firm footing among the poor, and 
where there are vast numbers yet to be gathered into the fold of 
Christ. Under these circumstances, permit me to recommend a re- 
consideration of this subject ; and rest assured I would not do so if 
I could view it as one of an unimportant kind. In this affair various 
reasons operate on my mind. The people have long worshipped 
under a vertical sun, or in the midst of rains, comparable to nothing 
but your thunder showers. The effect that must be produced on 
the constitution of the missionaries, who, in reading the liturgy, 
preaching, catechising, meeting the Society, examining candidates, 
baptizing, marrying, calling class papers, &c, &c, are exposed to 
the weather, from nine or ten in the morning till near after dark at 
night, will perhaps soon be found to be very serious to the men 
themselves, their families, and the church of God. Our cause, too, 
is, in my opinion, in some measure at stake. The expectations of 
our people have been raised, and if they are disappointed, again 
their hearts will sink within them." 

Arrangements having been made, the foundation-stone of the new 
chapel at the Bay was laid by the Rev. Jonathan Edmondson, on 
the 25th of March, 1837, and an appropriate address delivered by 
the Rev. Thomas H. Bewley, General Superintendent of Schools. 
Though, from the very brief notice that was given, the congrega- 
tion was small, and consisted chiefly of negroes, yet the collection 
amounted to £24, 5s. Id. — showing the liberality of the people, and 
their anxiety to see the good work accomplished. Mr. "Williams 
mentioned an instance of noble self-denial and liberality in a poor 
free black woman, who had to support herself and a sick husband 
by retailing fish and small wares. Having called to pay £11 to a 
gentleman, he said that she might keep it till he wanted it ; on 
which she traded with it, and gained £5, Os. 5d., which she brought 
to Mr. W., as a contribution towards the erection of the chapel, 
saying, " I have brought you the money. I was afraid I might use 
it if I kept it longer." Her aged husband was like-minded ; 
he did what he could by devoting the produce of a few cocoa-nut 
trees, which in eight months brought £2, 13s. 4d. Thus these two 
humble negroes showed the value they set upon that Gospel which 
was to be proclaimed in the building about to be raised. 



st. ann's bat. 



213 



Though the process of building in Jamaica is rarely quick, yet 
Mr. Whitehouse and his colleagues were diligent in hastening for- 
ward the chapels ; so that he wrote, in August, 1838, to the Com- 
mittee. After referring to the opening of Watsonville Chapel, he 
says — "It is also my pleasing duty to inform you that on the 1st 
of this month we opened our new chapel at St. Ann's Bay. It is 
true that it is not quite finished, but I was anxious to have it con- 
secrated to the service of God on the memorable 1st of August; 
and though I had considerable difficulty in accomplishing my object 
I succeeded beyond my expectations ; and our people were delighted 
beyond measure at the idea of having their chapel opened for the 
first time on the first day of their freedom ! Mr. Inglis preached 
on the occasion, and we had an immense congregation. Multitudes 
were unable to get into the chapel, or to hear distinctly the voice of 
the preacher ; but they gave substantial evidence of their deep con- 
cern in the delightful events of that glorious day ; and the collec- 
tion at the close of the service amounted to £175, 9s. 4jd. To 
God be all the praise! It was exceedingly gratifying to me to 
perceive, as soon as the service was over, the hundreds of individu- 
als connected with our Societies bending their course homewards, 
in accordance with advice I had previously given them — each one 
to enjoy a comfortable dinner in his own house and with his own 
family, on the first day of freedom ! By this means they escaped 
the riot and confusion of public feastings, and, in this respect, their, 
conduct formed a striking contrast with the proceedings of some 
others ; and when I saw the grace of God in them I was glad ! 
Our chapel at this place is 58 feet by 38 ; it is a strong and elegant 
building ; and, when finished, will be an ornament to the town. 
But I must add, in reference to this place also, that already it is 
too small. This is one of my greatest embarrassments in every 
place, and yet it is encouraging. Permit me again to remind you 
that when the grant was made by the Committee for the erection 
of this chapel, the purchase of the premises amounted to £450 
currency, or £321 sterling, was not included in the calculations 
upon which that grant was made. 

" I rejoice to state that the good work, in which we are engaged 
in this circuit, continues to prosper in every place. Since the 
commencement of the year there have been many pleasing indica- 
tions of increase in knowledge and growth in grace among our 
people, and of a lively interest in the extension of Christianity. A 
few weeks ago, I was at St. Ann's Bay, on the evening for holding 
the missionary prayer-meeting. Brother Lewis read an appeal in 
behalf of the Fegees. I had not seen or heard it beforehand there were 
but few persons present on the occasion. However, it occurred to 
me that something might be done, and, therefore, before closing the 
meeting, I addressed the small congregation, and endeavoured to 
shew the practicability of affording some assistance in a case so 
urgent ; and, judging that example might be of some avail, I offered, 



21 1 



st. ann's bay. 



by way of challenge, to give one pound. The effect was astonish- 
ing. A poor black man at my left, an apprentice, said " I will 

give twenty shillings, sir ;" a gentleman present said, " I will give 
£5 for myself and family ;" and in a few minutes upwards of £20 
were promised, and have since been paid, by a congregation from 
whom it might have been supposed not twenty shillings could have 
been obtained. Finding this appeal so cheerfully responded to at 
St. Ann's Bay, myself and colleagues resolved upon what might be 
done in other parts of the circuit, and the result is that £50 at least 
will have been raised in this circuit in behalf of the Fegee mission, 
and this principally from the late apprentices. I intend to close the 
account in a few days, and will inform you of the exact amount 
when I next write you." 

When the accounts were closed it was found that instead of £50 
for the Fegee mission, there were £120, besides £142 for the Ge- 
neral Mission Fund — making a total of £262 towards sending the 
Gospel to the heathen — a noble offering for this long persecuted 
people — who were at the same time striving to meet their own 
local expenses. On this point Mr. Whitehouse, in writing the 
Committee, observed — " At our last District Meeting provision 
was made for this circuit to draw on the District Treasurer for 
£150 currency, to meet the deficiency of March, June, and Sep- 
tember quarters, but I am happy to inform you, not only that we 
shall not need it, but that there is a prospect of our having a surplus 
of receipts at the end of the year, which I shall be glad, with your 
permission, to carry to the chapel account ; and I would avail my- 
self of this opportunity of recommending the appointment of a fifth 
missionary for this circuit at the next District Meeting. Judging 
from present appearances (and I have no fear of our declining) the 
circuit will support him, without dependence on the Committee's 
funds. I do indeed rejoice at the prosperity of our Zion. In 1827 
I was on this circuit alone. We then had two preaching places, 
and were dependent on the Committee's funds to a considerable 
amount for the support of the missionary and his family. We have 
now eight preaching places and four missionaries (requiring a fifth), 
and the circuit is independent of the funds of theCommittee. except 
that we still need help for our chapel. I mention these things in 
gratitude to God, and also to show that the funds of the Society 
have not been spent in vain in this place." No wonder that such 
a review awakened gratitude in the soul of this devoted missionary 
and his fellow-labourers. 

On the removal of Mr. Whitehouse, Mr. Kerr succeeded him in 
the superintending part of this circuit, which was now divided into 
two, named St. Ann's East and St. Ann's West — the latter embrac- 
ing St. Ann's Bay, Ebenezer, and Pope's Bay, having above nine 
hundred members, and about two hundred children in the schools. 
Mr. Freeman's exciting accounts of Ashantee having been read, 
Mr. Kerr, following the example of Mr. Whitehouse, took the lead 



ST. ANN S BAY. 



215 



in a special subscription for that interesting mission, and, though 
there were only thirty persons present, eighteen of them contribut- 
ed £25, 6s. 8d. currency, which was greatly augmented at a special 
prayer meeting held a week after ; and at the close of the year 
there were for the General Mission Fund £130, 12s. Id., and for 
Ashantee £102, 2s. lid. — though, by the division of the circuit, 
less than one-third of those who contributed previously were mem- 
bers of the new circuit. Their contributions towards the support 
of the Gospel among themselves averaged above four shillings per 
member for the June quarter, showing the value they set upon the 
Gospel for themselves, and their desire that it should be communi- 
cated to others also. Nor did they confine their sympathy to mere 
financial aid, they even parted with one of their ministers to meet 
the circumstances of bereaved societies, as will appear from the 
following : — 

" Wesleyan Chapel, St. Ann's Bay, 
" October 25th, 1841. 

" At a Leaders' meeting, held as above, 
V Resolved Unanimously — 

" 1. That this meeting having taken into consideration the af- 
flicted state of the district, occasioned by the death of several of the 
missionaries in the course of the year, and especially the ease of the 
Savannah-la-Mar circuit, in consequence of the recent death of the 
Rev. Wilson Lofthouse, feel it a connexional duty, in the spirit 
of sacrifice, to relinquish, for the present, the valuable services of 
our greatly esteemed minister, the Rev, W. H. Hann, in order to 
supply the lack of service in the St. Ann's East circuit, occasioned 
by the removal of the Rev. Henry Bleby to Savannah-la-Mar. 

" 2. Having also heard with great concern the increasingly em- 
barrassed state of the Mission Fund, and cordially approving of the 
measures adopted by the Committee in promoting the work of 
God, the members of this meeting pledge themselves to raise im- 
mediately, (in addition to what may be done for ordinary mission 
purposes,) the amount necessary to pay the passage of a single 
missionary to Jamaica, with the view, first, of supplying one of the 
vacancies occasioned by death, and that the second preacher may 
be re-appointed to this circuit at the approaching district meeting ; 
and, secondly, in the hope that some other circuits may be induced 
to take up this important subject in such a way as to them shall 
seem likely to contribute to the immediate relief of the district, by 
securing a supply of missionaries from the parent society, and also 
the speedy liquidation of the debt. 

" Signed in behalf of the meeting, 

" D Kerr I 

" W. H. Hann, / Meters. 

" Thomas D. Jefferson, Leader and Circuit Steward. 

" Richard Carter, Leader and Society Steward/' 



216 



st. ann's bay. 



Mr. Kerr concluded with an urgent appeal to the Parent Commit- 
tee for immediate help, on account of the peculiar circumstances of 
the district generally, but of his own circuit in particular. 

At the District Meeting held at Montego Bay early in the month 
of February, 1843, the writer was appointed to St. Ann's Bay cir- 
cuit, till a missionary could be sent from England to fill his place. 
Along with Mr. Sinclair he continued till he left, in order to return 
home. The intercourse he had with the people was of the most 
pleasing character, though it was only for a short period. At the 
Bay the members amounted to nearly seven hundred ; at Ebenezer 
about two hundred, and at Pope's Bay, nearly as many. Ebenezer 
is about ten miles above the Bay, in the mountains, close to the 
Grand Interior Road. From the coolness of the climate the people 
of light complexion look as rosy as if they were inhabitants of the 
mother country. Many English garden stuffs are cultivated in the 
neighbourhood, but the fogs which prevail keep up a humidity that 
is by no means agreeable, though it preserves a perpetual verdure. 
The chapel was well attended, and the Sabbath-school in good order. 
There were three Sabbath -schools in the circuit, having 250 
scholars, and one Day-school, with 120 scholars. Among those 
remembered by the writer with peculiar interest and affection on 
account of their piety, zeal, and usefulness, are Mr. and Mrs. Jeffer- 
son, who, from the beginning of the mission, were courageous, 
consistent, and stedfast in their profession of the faith. The latter 
endured much in the beginning of her Christian career. The 
Messrs. Carter were young men of colour, respectably educated, 
decidedly pious, and promising to become increasingly useful. 
Mr. Richard was steward of the Society, one of the brothers was 
called to the work of the ministry about the time the writer left the 
island, and the other was a consistent and amiable member of the 
Society. There were others also who had maintained their integ- 
rity during the fiery ordeals through which this Society had passed 
during the times of persecution, whose names shall be had in re- 
membrance when the memory of their troublers is blotted out. 
Their sufferings were not lost upon them — the effect on their views, 
temper, and deportment was decidedly favourable to their Christian 
character. 



■ 



217 



CHAPTER XV. 



BEECH AM VILLE, WATSONVILLE, AND GUY'S HILL. 

A Chapel erected at Bellemont— The first Missionary Meeting— Death of Mr. Drew- 
Prosperity of the mission— Bellemont vacated— The Society removed to Black- 
heath— Two years' persecution— Re-establishment and prosperity of the mission 
— Blackheath vacated— Beechamville and Watsonville Stations formed— Guy's 
Hill— Commencement of the mission— George Stanbury— A Society formed by 
Mr. Edney— united to Oracabessa circuit— Mr. Ritchie— a Chapel erected by Mr. 
Hodgson— Enlargement of the circuit. 

The origin of the numerous stations in and adjacent to St. Ann's 
having been mentioned in the account of the station at the Bay, it is 
necessary to trace the progress of the mission begun by S. D. Drew, 
Esq., at Bellemont, in order to arrive at Beechamville, Watsonville, 
and others, which sprang from it. In this beautiful and salubrious 
region, the properties and settlements are very numerous. The 
parish contains two hundred and forty-three thousand eight hundred 
and thirty- six acres of land ; and at the period when the mission was 
begun there were, besides the free inhabitants, nearly twenty-five 
thousand slaves, and about twenty-six thousand head of cattle, 
horses, mules, and other stock. 

No sooner had Mr. Drew succeeded in securing the visits of the 
missionaries, than he became a most zealous, judicious, and success- 
ful assistant in carrying forward the mission which he had planted. 
As the attendance of the people increased, the necessity of having a 
place of worship became more and more felt, but from the difficulties 
which presented themselves, it was not till August, 1825, that the 
object was so far accomplished as to admit of Mr. Ratcliffe removing 
his family from the Bay to Bellemont; on which occasion, he 
observed that, through the zealous co-operation of Mr. and Mrs. 
Drew, his plans, relative to the station, were nearly completed. The 
building was seventy feet by forty-two, the east part of which 
formed the residence for the missionary and his family ; and the 
chapel was calculated to accommodate from five to six hundred 
persons. 

Only a few weeks after Mr. Ratcliffe's removal to it, a circumstance 
occurred which gave the station a peculiar interest ; and that was the 
holding of the first missionary meeting ever held in the island. On 
this occasion, Mr. Young preached a sermon, and addressed the meeting 
on the grand theme of evangelizing the world. He was pleasingly 

2 D 



218 



BEECHAMVILLE. 



disappointed with both the chapel and the congregation, — " the 
former being superior in every respect, and the latter much more 
numerous" than he had anticipated. The meeting was held in the 
afternoon. Great interest was excited among the people, who con- 
tributed liberally, in answer to the appeals which were made in 
behalf of the perishing millions in heathen lands. The interest taken 
by the people in missionary efforts was to be looked for, seeing that 
they themselves owed every blessing they enjoyed to the interest 
taken by others in the great missionary cause. One of the most 
delightful features of the success attending the mission, is the 
missionary spirit of those who feel their personal obligation to com- 
municate freely the blessings they have so freely received. 

About this time, a station was begun at Goshen, an estate at some 
distance to the north-east of Bellemont, near the parish of St. Mary, 
where the slaves gave great encouragement to the missionary, by 
their desire of instruction, serious deportment, and attention to the 
means of Grace. At the end of the year, Mr. RatclifFe observed of 
Bellemont — " This station presents encouragement. An interest is 
excited among the respectable free people, and also among the 
slaves ; and the chapel being now in a good state of accommodation, 
they attend well, and the seriousness with which they listen to the 
truths of the Gospel, together with the steadfastness of the Society, 
afford considerable hope that, even in this dark parish, many will be 
brought to know God in truth." This pleasing state of the mission 
continued through the following year — a spirit of hearing and 
increased piety appeared, and many were added to the Lord. 

However, the removal of Mr. Drew, by death, early in the year, 
was severely felt. Mr. RatclifFe gave the following account, in a 
letter to the Committee : — " You will be deeply affected to hear of 
the death of Counsellor Drew, who has long held, and very deservedly 
so, a very prominent situation in the Wesleyan Mission in Jamaica. 
His health had long appeared to be declining, but the evident im- 
provement of his mind in the spirituality and holiness of the Gospel, 
afforded the best data from which to calculate the certainty and 
solidity of his future hopes. 

" On the 30th of December (1826), he attended service, with his 
large and amiable family, in the chapel, which had been raised, in a 
great measure, by his zeal ; and, with a number of free people and 
slaves, partook of the emblems of the Saviour's passion : he then met 
his large slave class ; and after taking an affectionate leave of Mrs. 
RatclifFe and the children, retired to his own residence (about a mile 
from the mission premises), to sicken and to die ; but his death was 
as satisfactory as his life had been pious and devoted. 

" Mr. Drew was a man of considerable erudition. When he first 
received the Wesleyan Missionaries, he was floating on a sea of 
scepticism ; his soul had no anchor ; his mind no resting place ; but 
the first sermon he heard, which was from John iii. 3, made a deep 



BEECHAMVILLE. 



219 



impression on his heart. He saw his lost condition, and trembled at 
himself, and the contrite tear succeeded the heartfelt petition, ' Lord 
what wilt thou have me to do V 

" As a Christian, Mr. Drew's experience was deep, serene, and 
undoubting ; ' his faith stood not in the wisdom of men, but in the 
power of God.' As an agent in this mission, he was undaunted, 
thoughtful, and persevering ; his motto was — Veritatem audiamus ; 
and when once convinced of the truth of his position, a host could not 
move him from his purpose. Whether in the vestry, on the bench, 
or before rulers, he never shunned the Cross, or betrayed the cause of 
the Redeemer, but ' by pureness, by knowledge, by long-suffering, 
by kindness, by the Holy Ghost, by love unfeigned, by the Word of 
Truth, by the power of God, by the armour of righteousness, on the 
right hand and on the left, by honour and dishonour, by evil report 
and good report,' he steadily pursued his way, and, impelled by the 
force of truth, and the commanding influence of the religion of the 
Son of God, he escaped the terrors of the wicked, ' entered into peace, 
and now walks in his uprightness.' 

" The last sickness of Mr. Drew was of short duration. He com- 
plained on Monday — on Tuesday, I went up to see him, and prayed 
with him — his mind was tranquil, and stayed upon God. All his 
thoughts were for the safety of the mission ; and he was very desirous 
of attending the second sitting of the Magistrates, appointed to investi- 
gate the circumstances of the disgraceful outrage committed on 
the mission premises at St. Ann's Bay, on the night of 
the 25th of December, or early on the morning of the 26th ; but 
though he had, with the most laudable promptitude, as a Magistrate, 
hastened to my assistance, and put the matter in a train of legal 
inquiry, he did not live to see its issue. Wednesday I attended him 
again, and advised medical aid to be procured. I thought I saw an 
evident sinking in his case, and said, ' I hope, Sir, you will soon 
recover ; for, at this critical moment, how great would be our loss 
were you taken from us V He replied, { O, don't say that ; I am a 
poor worm, there is no room for boasting ; I cannot look to anything 
I have done — the whole science of divinity is compressed into a very 
narrow compass — 

* I the chief of sinners am, 
But Jesus died for me.' 

I found him the next day in a very happy state. He had no fear, 
and every expression was marked with peculiar simplicity and affec- 
tion. At one time he said, ' I have been assaulted, since I saw you, 
with the temptation that my religion is mere form, but, thank God, 
He gives me power to look steadfastly to the Cross, and all is clear 
before me.' He felt a peculiar interest and concern for the salvation 
of the Doctor, to whom, on his giving him his medicine, he said, 
' Now, Doctor, you must attend whilst Mr. Ratcliffe reads a portion 
of Scripture and prays with me ; it will do you good as well as 



220 



BEECHAMVILLE. 



myself.' Though very weak, he exerted himself, to the astonishment 
of all present, in singing that fine hymn — 

' I know that my Redeemer lives, 
And ever prays for me, &c.' 

" On Thursday, I left Bellemont, to attend at the formation of a 
Branch Missionary Society, at St. Ann's Bay, where we had fondly 
hoped our dear friend would have presided, as he had done in almost 
every other parish, and again cheered us by his eloquence and fer- 
vent piety ; but whilst we were on the platform pleading the cause 
of Missions, the King of Terrors was throwing his last dart at one of 
its best, its ablest patrons. A messenger met me, at the foot of the 
stairs, with the distressing news that Mr. Drew was worse. I 
hastened away immediately, accompanied by Messrs. Crofts and 
Orton. At ten o'clock, we reached the summit of the mountain, 
where we alighted, and spent some solemn moments in prayer ; and 
whilst we were thus engaged, as near as we could calculate, he calmly 
sunk in death, to be numbered with 4 the spirits of the just made 
perfect.' We arrived about 1, a.m., but it was the house of mourn- 
ing. We knelt by the side of the widow and nine lovely children, 
and besought the ' Father of mercies' and ' the God of all consola- 
tion,' to be their 1 hiding place from the storm,' and their pavilion in 
this ' time of trouble.' Mr. Drew was interred on Saturday, in the 
family burying- ground, at Bellemont. At the close of the funeral 
service, Brother Crofts gave a most impressive address, and Brother 
Orton offered the concluding prayer. The pulpits of Bellemont and 
Spanish Town Chapels were hung with black, and a funeral sermon 
was preached at the latter place, during the sitting of the District 
Meeting, from Isaiah lvii. 1-2." The year so mournfully begun, was 
as mournfully ended, by the death of Mr. Grimsdall, which has been 
already noticed in the account of St. Ann's Bay station. During the 
next three years, the mission continued to prosper. The labours of 
Messrs. Whitehouse and Saxton were greatly owned of God. At the 
close of 1830, it was reported thus of Bellemont : — " We have cause 
of rejoicing : the good seed of the Word of God has been sown, and 
during the last few weeks, the fields have become more and more 
white unto the harvest ; and, notwithstanding great efforts have 
been made to blight our hopes, many are beginning earnestly to 
inquire after the Friend of Sinners. Our congregations, on a Lord's 
day, were never so large as they have been of late." 

These delightful indications of prosperity were suddenly blighted 
by the insurrection of 1831-2, previously to which, the premises at 
Bellemont were vacated, on account of some flaw in the title to the 
ground on which they were erected. In the middle of 1831, the 
Society was removed to Blackheath ; and in about six months after- 
wards, the missionaries were driven away by the violence of persecu- 
tion, which continued for about two years, during which there was 



BEECHAMVILLE. 



221 



no preaching, on account of the sanguinary threats of the persecutors. 
During this suffering season, so great was the anxiety of many of the 
people to hear the Gospel, that they walked to St. Ann's Bay, a 
distance of nearly twenty miles, where there was preaching. Towards 
the close of 1833, the means of grace were partially restored to them, 
for which they were exceedingly thankful. There was the prospect 
of an abundant harvest ; and in no part of the circuit was shewn 
greater promise of success. About one hundred and thirteen of the 
scattered members were gathered. 

In the course of the following year, the labours of the missionaries 
were eminently successful. Of the Society at Blackheath, they 
observed : — 

" In giving an account of this Society, we cannot but advert to its 
scattered state in the beginning of the year. In consequence of in- 
tolerance and persecution for two years previous, our people were as 
sheep having no shepherd. "When we had an opportunity of re- 
opening our mission among them, while we had to rejoice over the 
steadfastness of the majority, we had to mourn over a few who, over- 
come by temptation, had relapsed into sin and misery. Most of 
these have returned, confessing their sin and begging to be re-ad- 
mitted into society. The attendance on our ministry has been un- 
precedented, and the deep and lively interest our hearers evince is, 
we believe, seldom exceeded, and is highly cheering to ourselves. 

" We cannot but particularly notice the great discouragement 
under which this excellent and increasing Society labours — namely, 
that of having no chapel, and no immediate prospect of one being 
built ; a circumstance which has no parallel in the West Indies, nor, 
perhaps, in any part of the mission field. This evil was painfully 
felt by both preachers and people in the last quarter of the year. 
Our people are willing to do all they can towards the purchase of 
land, and the erection of a suitable chapel, but as most of them are 
very poor, their utmost exertions, in a pecuniary way, will necessarily 
be small. 

" Another privation they have to endure, is preaching only every 
alternate Sunday. They should have regular service every Lord's 
day, and greatly desire it ; but this they cannot have unless a third 
missionary be sent to the circuit. 

" Of the piety of our members, in general, we have clear evidence. 
During the time they were deprived of the pastoral care of their 
preachers, when they were called to endure cruel and relentless per- 
secution, they showed to their enemies and slanderers that forbear- 
ance and long-suffering, which are peculiar to those who have been 
taught by God to pray for men who despitefully use them and 
persecute them. Many of our young members manifest a great 
desire to learn to read. Numbers in Society, 826, exclusive of 
upwards of 50, who remain on trial. Leaders, males, 9, females, 13 ; 
total, 22." 



222 



BEECH AM VILLE. 



The circumstances of privation under which both the missionaries 
and the people laboured at this period, are thus described by Messrs. 
Greenwood and Barr, who were the resident ministers : — " It is very 
distressing to our minds, often to have our services interrupted by 
torrents of rain, and to see our people, though drenched with wet, 
still persevering in meeting their classes in little groups. August 
24th was a memorable day. The morning was fine ; but about ten 
o'clock, a.m., a heavy West Indian shower suddenly descended, and 
rendered our worshipping God together very uncertain. As many as 
could, rushed into the house : we sang, prayed, and read the Scrip- 
tures. About eleven o'clock, the rain abated, and hundreds of people 
who could obtain no shelter, and were dripping wet, assembled in 
front of the house, and listened with great attention to a short sermon 
preached from Rom. viii. 32. In the afternoon of the same day, 
upwards of thirty applied for admission into the Society." Thus 
the health of both missionaries and people was placed in jeopardy, 
from exposure to a burning sun, or drenching rain, alternately, which 
rendered them exceedingly anxious to have a chapel as soon as 
possible. However, it was sometime ere this could be accomplished. 
In August of the following year, Mr. Whitehouse urged the case 
earnestly on the attention of the Committee, observing, that if some- 
thing was not speedily done, it would be impossible to preserve the 
people, or maintain their ground. He remarked — " The field is 
already white unto the harvest. Our congregations are exceedingly 
large, frequently amounting to about two thousand, and God is blessing 
the work of our hands. But the inconvenience of being obliged to 
worship out of doors, in all sorts of weather, is felt by all ; and some 
of our oldest and best people are becoming loud in their expressions 
of dissatisfaction. Besides, many who are favourably disposed 
towards us are prevented from attending our services by the risk 
incurred in sitting or standing so long upon the wet grass, and often 
during the falling rains." 

In July, 1836, a house having been procured instead of the one 
at Blackheath, one of the Missionaries removed to it ; and on the 
21st of the following month, the Blackheath Society was divided, and 
two new stations taken up, to which the members were removed. 
The one was named Beechamville, and the other Watsonville. At 
the former, land having been purchased, a portion of it was cleared, 
by cutting down the trees and underwood, leaving a sufficient number 
to shade the congregations till a chapel could be erected. The people 
flocked in great numbers, and shewed the greatest earnestness to 
listen to the Gospel message; a school was established, and the 
attendance of the children became large and increasing. However, 
from the want of sufficient funds, the number of chapels and schools 
to be erected, along with the difficulty of hastening the process of 
building, it was a considerable while ere a place of worship could be 
erected at this very interesting and important locality. Mr. White- 




WATSONVILLE CHAPEL. 




Guys hill Chapel . 



WATSON VILLE. 



223 



house pleaded hard and perseveringly with the Committee for a 
sufficient grant to enable him to erect a School-house in connection 
with the Chapel, as it was by far the most important station in the 
circuit, and promised to become equal to any one in the island ; and 
though other stations had been formed between this and the resi- 
dences of the bulk of the people, still the congregations gradually 
increased. 

With admirable zeal and perseverance, Mr. Whitehouse succeeded 
in erecting a spacious chapel, and a comfortable residence for a mis- 
sionary and his family at this station, though, on account of being 
removed at the close of 1840, neither were quite finished. However, 
Mr. Edmondson, the Chairman of the District, who succeeded him, 
entered into his plans, and fully carried them out. Towards the end of 
April, 1841, the writer spent a Sabbath with Mr. E., and assisted him 
in administering the Sacrament of the Lord's Supper. The congrega- 
tion was large and attentive. The chapel looked capacious, airy, and 
respectable. As the residence was not then completed, the mission 
family were, in the meantime, occupying the out-houses. It may 
be seen, from the sketch prefixed to this account, that the premises 
form a very interesting country station. The liberality of the people, 
in their contributions towards the buildings, and supporting the 
Gospel, did them great credit. The first year of Mr. Edmonson's 
residence among them, they gave altogether about seven hundred 
pounds. 

When the writer paid a visit, early in 1843, the station being 
settled, it presented a pleasing aspect. In addition to Beechamville, 
two new stations had been established, one about ten miles distant, 
on the road leading to Clarendon, where several of the lately 
emancipated slaves were settling on small freeholds, which they had 
purchased. At this place, a piece of land having been given by two 
ladies, a shed was erected in the month of May, to accommodate the 
congregation till a chapel could be built. Mr. E. named this station 
Bensonton. The attendance was about three hundred ; two hundred 
and forty-five of whom had been members at Beechamville. The 
other station, named Epworth (formerly Aberdeen), was taken up 
early in 1841, but it was not till April in the following year, that it 
could be supplied by the missionary with service on the Lord's day. 

The total number of members at the several stations was above 
eleven hundred. The day School was attended by about one hun- 
dred and twenty scholars. Altogether it formed a compact circuit, 
and presented a fine field for usefulness. 

Though not equal to Beechamville, the station at Watsonville 
became increasingly interesting from the time it was taken up. Mr. 
Whitehouse furnished the following interesting account of the open- 
ing of the chapel, on the 2d of June, 1838, on which occasion Mr. 
Edmondson officiated; and the next day, being Sabbath, Mr. Ran- 
derson conducted the services. " The weather was exceedingly 



224 



WATSON VILLE. 



unpropitious, and yet the people came from every direction. The 
circumstances connected with the opening were pleasing and painful. 
Some of the people present on the occasion came a distance of fifteen 
or twenty miles ; and it was distressing to see them, after walking 
for miles through heavy rain, dripping wet all the time of the service, 
and some of them were confined to the chapel from 11, a.m., on 
Saturday, till nearly the same hour on Monday, the rain continuing 
to descend in torrents, and not abating sufficiently to afford a con- 
venient interval for leaving the premises ; but it was truly gratifying 
to witness the deep interest they took in the service. Our poor 
people were indeed grateful to witness the completion of this edifice, 
after having been compelled, by circumstances, to worship out-of- 
doors, in all sorts of weather, for more than six years. The collections, 
on the occasion, amounted to £44 6s. 8d. — a sum exceeding what 
might have been expected, all things considered. The chapel was 
commenced 54 feet by 34 ; but it was soon perceived that it would 
be too small for the rapidly increasing congregation, ten feet were 
therefore afterwards added to the length of it, so that its present 
dimensions are 64 feet by 34. It is a substantial and neat stone 
building, with a roof of country hard-wood, and the interior is so 
fitted up that the best is made of every inch of room. A neat and 
comfortable vestry -room is erected about fifty feet in the rear of the 
chapel. These premises are situated about a mile and a quarter to 
the east of the Moneague, in a delightful part of the country, and 
salubrious climate ; they contain twelve acres of excellent land, all 
enclosed within stone wall fences. It is very desirable that a resi- 
dence be erected here ; it is in one of the most healthy situations of the 
island, and the amount which would be saved to the mission in rent 
and house expenses would, in four years, pay for the building. Our 
people here are now becoming clamorous for a School for the children. 
We have abundance of land} and the situation is eligible, and could 
we erect a School-house, I doubt not, we should obtain from a hun- 
dred to a hundred and fifty children immediately. This is, in fact, 
a very important station. Already the chapel is too small, and if 
a missionary residence were erected here, it might become at once 
the head of a circuit. Our prospects are cheering." 

In 1841, it was made the head of a circuit, to which Mr. Bleby 
was appointed as resident missionary ; and the year following it was 
united to Ocho-Rios, and some new stations were added. The con- 
gregation having become far too large for the chapel, about a hundred 
of the members were cut off to form the nucleus of a station about 
seven miles distant, on Mount Diabolo, which was named Mount 
Rosser. From this spot there is a magnificent prospect of St. Thomas 
in the vale. Another of the new stations was named Mount Bunting. 
Throughout the circuit there were thirteen hundred members ; two 
Sabbath and two day Schools, with two salaried and seventeen 
gratuitous teachers. 



GUY S HILL. 



225 



In the month of September, the writer attended a Public Mission- 
ary Meeting here, which was held at noon ; though the meeting was 
not large, it was interesting, and the collection liberal. 

On leaving Ardoch, the residence of Mr. Bleby, about noon the 
following day, in order to assist at another meeting to be held in the 
evening at Ocho-Rios, an accident occurred which endangered the 
life of Mr. Randerson, who was in a gig along with the writer. 
Near the house, where the road is remarkably steep, the horse backed 
the gig down the hill ; the writer sprang out and caught him by the 
head, but down all went, with accelerating velocity, till one of the 
wheels struck a stone wall. At this moment, Mr. R. was in the act 
of jumping out, but was too late. The shock threw him down ; he 
fell heavily on one side, turned over, and lay for some time unable to 
breathe or move. All the brethren immediately returned. Scarcely 
had they reached the house when the rain began, and poured in 
torrents for nearly three hours. By the time it cleared off, Mr. R. 
was so far recovered that he was able to proceed, in the evening, to 
Ocho-Rios, where he obtained the assistance of a medical gentleman, 
who let blood, and gave him some medicine, which enabled him to 
bear the journey to his own residence, at Brown's town, the next 
day. From the badness of the roads in the island, especially in the 
mountains, such catastrophies are very frequent, and sometimes fatal : 
that it was not so in this instance, was matter of great thankfulness 
to Him, without whom " not a sparrow falls to the ground." 

GUY'S HILL. 

This interesting station is situated in an elevated region, near a point 
where the parishes of St. Ann, St. Mary, and St. Thomas in the 
Vale, meet. The land is fertile, and abundantly supplied with rain 
and heavy dews. Pimento groves, Coffee plantations, pastures, 
and provision grounds abound. White River, which falls into the 
sea about four or five miles east of Ocho-Rios Bay, has its source 
not far from the station. As may be expected from its elevation, 
it is a cool and healthy part of the country. 

As early as 1823, Guy's Hill had been visited by the Wesleyan 
Missionaries, who returned it in connection with the St. Ann 
circuit, along with St. Ann's Bay, Bellemont, and Goshen Estate, as 
a place of great darkness and wickedness, destitute of the means of 
moral and religious knowledge, save what they afforded ; but that 
many had a desire to hear, which could not be met, except to a very 
limited extent, from want of a sufficient number of missionaries to 
supply existing stations. 

This desire may have been excited by the efforts of George Stan- 
bury, a black man, mentioned by Mr. Sergeant, in his " Letters 
from Jamaica.'.' Having been brought to God under the ministry 

2 E 



226 



guy's hill. 



of Mr. Shipman, this worthy man, though a slave, rejoiced in the 
liberty wherewith Christ makes his people free ; and feeling a strong 
desire for the spiritual emancipation of his fellow-men, he visited his 
friends residing at Guy's Hill, in order to tell them what the Lord 
had done for his soul — a work for which his superior mental endow- 
ments, and sound conversion to God, eminently fitted him. The 
first night he spent with his father, for whose salvation he continued 
in conversation and prayer from six o'clock in the evening till four 
the following morning ! Zealous to do as much good as possible, he 
exhorted and prayed with as many as he could have access to, till 
the overseer of one of the estates being informed of his proceedings, 
stirred up several of the people to insult and ill-use him, on which 
he was compelled to flee to the woods for shelter, whither he was 
followed by his persecutors, who had orders from the overseer to 
bring either him, " or his head !" That night he slept in a 
mango tree, and next morning he escaped and returned to Spanish 
Town. However, he ventured to pay a second visit sometime 
afterwards, when he was seized, put in irons, and had his feet made 
fast in the stocks, by order of the overseer, who sent him bound next 
morning to Rodney Hall prison. His word did not fall to the ground; 
a desire for the reception of the Gospel was created ; and the people 
longed to hear it preached by some faithful teacher. 

Mr. Edney, being stationed at Grateful Hill in 1831, was urged by 
a black man, who had settled there, to visit the people. With his 
accustomed zeal to do good, Mr. E. took an early opportunity of 
forming a station, and supplying it on the Lord's day, once a month, 
though it was about six and twenty miles distant from Grateful Hill, 
and the roads, in many parts, were narrow, steep, and wearisome, 
winding through mountains, and across rivers, whose fordings were 
anything but easy or pleasant. 

- He found the people eager to listen to the Word of God. The 
population being large, they flocked from every side to the preaching. 
An unusual divine influence accompanied the Word. A promising 
society was formed. Most of those who joined were slaves. 

On Easter Sunday, Mr. E. preached to a crowded congregation, 
who listened with deep emotion, tears, and sighs, while he expatiated 
on that sweet text, " Then were the disciples glad when they saw the 
Lord." After the congregation was dismissed, the members 
assembled to hold their first Love Feast. Mr. E. observed that about 
seventy spoke, and that he was struck with astonishment while 
listening to the simple, artless, and clear testimonies which were 
borne to the power of divine Grace. At the evening service, the con- 
gregation was numerous and deeply attentive, while he preached from 
" How shall we escape, if we neglect so great salvation." The 
services of the day were closed with a prayer meeting, when several 
engaged in supplicating the Throne of Grace ; and the power of God, 
to convince and to heal, was evidently felt. 



guy's hill. 



227 



In the month of May, a Sabbath School was commenced ; and the 
people continued to manifest great earnestness in listening to the 
Word of God, so that from the encouragement presented, Mr. E., 
while expressing his regret at not being able to spend more than one 
Sabbath in the month among them, earnestly besought the Committee 
to send a missionary to occupy the station, and spread the saving 
light of the Gospel around the neighbourhood, which was still over- 
shadowed with spiritual darkness. However, as the insurrection 
broke out at the end of the year, this infant church was exposed to 
those trials which threatened for a time to crush the efforts of the 
missionaries. After the removal of Mr. Edney to Honduras Bay, Mr. 
Wedlock, who had just returned from that part of the mission field, 
took his place at Grateful Hill, to which this new station continued to 
be attached. This was a year of difficulty ; the people were perse- 
cuted by the Colonial Unionists, and Mr. Wedlock was exposed to 
danger in his journeys to and from Guy's Hill. Yet, it was a pleasing 
circumstance that numerous threats were followed by nothing worse ; 
the storm passed over without any serious injury to either the mis- 
sionary or the people. Towards the end of the month of June, Mr. 
W. observed of one of his visits to Guy's Hill, " I preached here 
this forenoon, with enlargement, from an awfully solemn subject — 
the Omnipresence of God ; Psalm cxxxix. 7, and following verses ; 
afterwards, I gave tickets, and admitted six on trial, and received 
three into society, who formerly belonged to the Bellemont society 
in the St. Ann circuit, where they were formerly wont to worship, 
and hearing of a Methodist Chapel on this hill, they have travelled 
many miles to mingle with the people of God. These poor men, and 
hundreds of others besides them, have been for more than a year 
deprived of the means of Grace, and it is only just now that they 
venture to steal away privately to the house of God, on the Sabbath 
day." At the close of the year, the number of members returned 
was 108, most of whom gave pleasing indications of having received 
the grace of God in truth. Amidst their trials they maintained their 
integrity, and adorned their profession. The need of a chapel was 
much felt, and the people were willing to contribute towards the 
erection of one, according to their ability. 

In 1834, Oracabessa, Port Maria, and Guy's Hill were united and 
made a circuit, to which Mr. Ritchie was appointed as the resident 
missionary. At this time, the writer paid a few visits to Guy's Hill, 
and witnessed the zeal of the people in attending the services which 
were held. A thatched chapel had been erected, capable of contain- 
ing a considerable congregation, but by no means sufficiently large to 
accommodate the members who assembled to hear the preaching. 
This led to its enlargement ; but by the end of the year it was found 
still too small. Mr. Ritchie stated that it would not contain half the 
number of those who came to hear " words whereby they might be 
saved." The prospects were cheering, and if sufficient pastoral atten- 



228 



GUY S HILL. 



tion could have been paid to it, a prosperous society would soon have 
rewarded the labour bestowed upon the people. 

For several years following, the Brethren who were appointed to 
the circuit found abundance of work to do, by new places inviting 
their attention on every side. Messrs. Burrows, Seccombe, Williams, 
Hodgson, Foster, and Mearns were successively employed in this 
very extensive field of usefulness, which, like most of the circuits in 
the island, never has had sufficient ministerial supplies ; and, to add 
to the difficulty, the heavy rains which prevail, especially in the upper 
part of the circuit, along with the nature of the soil, keep the roads 
in many directions exceedingly unfit for travelling. 

While Mr. Hodgson laboured in the circuit in 1840, he succeeded 
in erecting a convenient chapel, a view of which is prefixed to this 
brief account. It is a frame building, on stone pillars. The ground 
on which it is built was the gift of Robert Roach and James Macin- 
tosh, Esqs.; and there was, in addition, a grant of £120 from the House 
of Assembly, an equal amount from the vestry of St. Mary's, and £60 
from the vestry of St. Thomas in the Vale. The people contributed 
£263, besides 500 days' labour, shewing that the mission had, by this 
time, made a considerable and favourable impression on the public 
mind ; and that Mr. Hodgson had spared no pains to get a suitable 
place of worship for the accommodation of the people. 

When the roads were in a state to admit of travelling, the congre- 
gations continued large both on Sabbaths and week day evenings. 
In 1841, there were five Societies in the circuits, including Guy's 
Hill, viz. : — Morley, at Oracabessa, which was divided this year, and 
half of the members taken to form a new station in Oracabessa 
mountains, Port Maria, Guy's Hill, Beechamhill, and Ramble. At 
each of these places, the people gave great encouragement to the 
missionary, considering their few advantages. 

At Ramble, a chapel was opened on the 1st of August, and a most 
cheering prospect of success presented itself. The number of mem- 
bers was about 600. When the writer visited Guy's Hill, early in 
1 843, Mr. Mearns was diligently labouring to promote the interests 
of the several societies, but from the number and distance of the 
stations, along with the badness of the roads, he found it impossible 
to give all the attention he wished to some of them. Still, at Oraca- 
bessa, there had been an accession of members, chiefly of young 
persons, who promised fair to walk consistently with their profession. 
When the writer visited this station, on the 31st of March, he arrived 
about 9 o'clock in the morning, altogether unexpected by any of the 
people. However, a few kind friends soon assembled at the chapel, 
who prepared breakfast, and shewed great kindness and attention. 
While he was enjoying their hospitality, a bell was rung, which brought 
thirty of the people together, to whom he preached a short sermon, 
under which some of them appeared to feel and weep much. At the 
conclusion of the service, they gave vent to their kindly feelings, and 



guy's hill. 



229 



feelingly pictured out their need of more instruction, imploring him, 
as he was going home to England, that he would do all in his power 
to procure another missionary for the circuit, that they might more 
frequently enjoy the preaching of the Gospel. All around, small 
settlements were springing up, and the necessities of the people daily 
increasing. 

The chapel was a thatched building, thirty feet by fifty, in front of 
which, and close to the gate, on the right hand, the tomb of one of 
Mr. Seccombe's children remains as a mournful memento of his 
having laboured and suffered here. 

The small society at Port Maria appeared to be in a state of great 
depression. When the writer arrived, he stayed a night at the resi- 
dence of one of the leaders, whose house faced the small rented place 
in which their meetings were held. A few of the members were got 
together with whom he sung an hymn, read and expounded a chapter 
of the New Testament, and engaged in prayer. For several Sabbaths 
they had had no visits of the missionary, owing to his many engage- 
ments. The Society at Beechamhill was reported to contain many 
members whose deep experience in divine things, and zeal in the cause 
of God, furnished ground for abundant rejoicing over them. At this 
period, the total number of members throughout the circuits was 
670, with one day school, two Sabbath schools, having 92 scholars 
attending the former, and 60 the latter. From the situation and 
success of the station at Guy's Hill, it became the principal station 
and head of the circuit in 1845. 

Throughout the circuit Mr. Mearns has laboured ardently to pro- 
mote the spiritual good of the people, without meeting with such 
encouragement as could be wished. In a letter, dated August, 1847, 
he wrote thus — " Throughout this circuit, the most extensive in the 
district, placed under the care of one missionary, there is much to 
humble, and induce anxiety for the future. In common with other 
churches, we have to complain of the worldly -mindedness of many of 
our members, and to witness daily occurring proofs that their religion 
is of a very superficial kind. Some have abandoned the Christian 
profession ; and others, by their indifference, show how little value 
they attach to their eternal interests. Gloomy, however, as appear- 
ances are, there are also, I think, indications that a brighter day will 
soon dawn upon us. All the discouraging events which we have 
beheld during the two last years, and the trying scenes through 
which we are now passing, might have been, and in fact were, fore- 
seen by diligent students of the human mind. Let us be thankful 
that so much real enduring good has been done. Let us persevere 
in our labours, and increase the amount of our agency, and in due 
time we shall reap a glorious harvest. During the two last 
quarters, we have been advancing a little in point of numbers and 
finances, at most of the stations in this circuit ; and I trust that 
our people have at the same time been ' growing in grace.' " 



230 



CHAPTER XVI. 

OCHO-RIOS, BROWN'S TOWN, AND STEWART'S TOWN. 

Ocho-Rios— Mission begun— Imprisonment of Mr. Grimsdall— A Chapel opened— The 
Chapel burnt down by the Colonial Unionists— The people compelled to hold their 
meetings in the open air for six years— Mr. Whitehouse's success— Death of Miss 
Jarvis,— A new Chapel built— Prosperity of the station— Want of sufficient Minis- 
terial help— Brown's Town— A circuit formed— Mr. Randerson— Mr. Seccombe 
— Mr. Foster— Stewart's Town— Mr. Box forms a Society — Mr. Hornby— Death of 
Mr. Bewley— Prosperity of the station- 

When the mission was established at St. Ann's Bay, the missionaries 
extended their visits to several other places, among which was Ocho- 
Rios Bay, about seven miles to the east of St. Ann's Bay, where week 
night services were held in the house of Miss Catherine Jarvis, a 
person of colour, who became a most consistent, zealous, and useful 
member of the Society. No interruption to these services was offered 
till 1827, when Mr. Grimsdall was called to suffer for righteousness' 
sake, which terminated in his death, as has been noticed in the 
account of St. Ann's Bay station. 

On the 7th of June, a special Sessions of the Peace was held at 
the Court-house, for the purpose of " inquiring into certain misde- 
meanours committed in the Parish of St. Ann," before Sam. W. 
Rose, B. W. Smith, and David Brydone, Esquires. The culprit was 
the Rev. Joseph Grimsdall, and his crimes were — his having held and 
been present at Sunday meetings at Ocho-Rios, and teaching and 
preaching at an unlicensed place of worship. The first witness 
stated that, as he passed through Ocho Rios, on his way home on the 
12th of April, about half-past eight o'clock, he heard several persons 
singing in a house occupied by Miss Pennock, (the mother of Miss 
Jarvis), and looking in, he did not observe any white persons whatever. 
A constable gave a similar testimony as to singing and prayer, and 
also of having frequently warned them of the illegality of such pro- 
ceedings. Miss Jarvis admitted having given her house gratis for 
the purpose of holding religious meetings, provided the missionary 
was duly licensed. She declared that no collections of money had 
been made at Ocho-Rios, though a class of free persons had met in 
her house. Miss Pennock stated that the missionaries began their 
services at four, p.m., and concluded by eight at the latest. As Mr. 
Grimsdall had not been licensed to preach at Ocho-Rios, the Justices 
admonished him not to attempt to hold any service till he was duly 
licensed. 



OCHO-RIOS. 



231 



That he might continue his visits to Ocho-Rios, he applied for a 
license for Miss Jarvis' house, which was refused by the Magistrates, 
though the custos and another magistrate were in favour of granting 
it. Believing that the refusal was contrary to law, Mr. G. recom- 
menced his preaching without the license, on which he was thrown 
a second time into jail, where he lost his health, and soon after sank 
into the grave. 

Notwithstanding the persecution which the missionaries and their 
people were subjected to, a small society was formed in 1828, which 
consisted of twenty-nine members, who, though destitute of Sabbath- 
day services, were zealous for the cause of God. Their adverse cir- 
cumstances only stimulated them to greater efforts, so that early in 
1829, a chapel was opened, and regular services conducted on the 
Lord's day, to which the people flocked in such numbers that the 
chapel was soon found to be too small. Nor were the week night ser- 
vices less encouraging. One hundred and twelve of the St. Ann's Bay 
members were removed to this society, which, at the end of the year, 
consisted of nearly two hundred members. With the prospect of 
increasing success to stimulate to further exertions, a Sabbath School 
also was established, which gave encouragement, though the want of 
a few effective teachers was felt. 

When the " Colonial Unionists" began their crusade against the 
missionaries in 1832, they not only chaced them from the Parish of 
St. Ann, but destroyed all the mission property. At Ocho-Rios 
they burnt the chapel down to the ground, and persecuted the poor 
people by every method in their power for more than two years. On 
the 2nd of September, 1833, Messrs. Crookes and Greenwood visited 
the suffering people at St. Ann's Bay ; and in the afternoon proceeded 
to Ocho-Rios, where Mr. C. preached to a large assembly of the 
people, under the shade of the cocoa-nut trees, near the ruins of 
the destroyed chapel. About thirty of the Unionists were reported 
to be in the neighbourhood, in order to disturb the service, but their 
courage failed them, so that they did not show themselves. 

From this time the people continued to meet for the worship of 
God among the ruins of their sanctuary, exposed to sun, wind, 
and rain, for several years, during which both the congregation and 
society greatly increased. At the end of this year the missionaries 
observed — " Here also the hand of God has been visibly manifested 
in behalf of his servants. For a time the preaching of the truth 
was prevented ; but the congregations that now assemble under the 
cocoa-nut trees are large and encouraging. Our hopes are sanguine 
that God will over-rule our trials for the good of the community." 
And the report at the close of the following year was still of an 
encouraging character. It was stated — " Our congregations are large, 
and our members give evidence that they know the things which make 
for their peace. The missionary here is (still) obliged to preach, 
administer the Sacrament of the Lord's Supper, marry, and baptize 



232 



OCIIO-RIOS. 



in the open air, under the wide- spreading branches of the cocoa-nut 
trees, near the sea beach. We have often thought that to see our 
congregations, and to hear our people express the gratitude they feel 
to the pious and benevolent friends in Britain by whose liberality 
they are joyfully anticipating the re-erection of their chapel in a short 
time, would afford great pleasure to our friends at home. Our num- 
bers have increased considerably every quarter, and God has here 
called many his people who were not his people." So greatly had 
the labours of the Brethren been blessed, that the number of members 
now amounted to four hundred and thirty-eight. 

In 1836, Mr. Whitehouse removed to Ocho-Rios with his family, 
which tended greatly to advance the interests of this station. One 
of the missionaries, who was appointed colleague to Mr. W., observed 
— " I have been three times to Ocho-Rios Bay. Our prospects here 
are more and more cheering. We have large and increasing congre- 
gations, sometimes amounting to eight hundred souls ; and a more 
intelligent and attentive people I have not seen in this island, . The 
society is much improved, and fast increasing in numbers. At one 
of my visits I admitted upwards of thirty on trial, and a considerable 
number at my other two appointments." 

A day School was established at this time, under the direction of 
Mr. J. Green, who, in addition to conducting the school on the week 
days, acted as an assistant to the missionaries on the Lord's days, and 
afterwards was fully employed as an assistant missionary. The 
number of scholars was nearly eighty, who made a pleasing degree 
of progress in general and scriptural knowledge. The only available 
source of income for the support of this school was the small fees of 
the scholars, which were found to be inadequate. 

In March, 1837, the society at Ocho-Rios suffered no small loss 
by the death of Miss Jarvis, whose piety, zeal, courage, and liberality, 
contributed greatly to the prosperity of the station. In noting the 
death of this excellent person, Mr. Williams observed — " We have 
lost by death one of the most useful and efficient members in this 
circuit, Miss Catherine Jarvis, of Ocho-Rios. She departed this life 
on Wednesday, March the 12th ; and the day following I committed 
her remains to the earth, amid the tears of many to whom she had 
been eminently useful in both temporal and spiritual matters. She 
was taken sick of measles about the 1st of March, and from the first 
she had a strong and rather gloomy apprehension of her approaching 
dissolution ; for some time the enemy of souls severely tempted her ; 
she lost her confidence in God, and she had strong suspicion that, 
after all, she would be a cast away. I saw her on the 5th, and God 
blessed my own soul much whilst talking with her and praying for 
her; and from this time she had abounding joy, save when her 
malady overpowered her mind, and she sank down into a state of 
stupor. It was found, by her will, that she had made some provision 
for the establishment of a day school at Ocho-Rios, to be under the 
direction of the Wesleyan Ministers." 



OCHO-RIOS. 



233 



The writer was favoured with a visit from this excellent person 
when he was stationed at Grateful Hill. Her description of the cir- 
cumstances of the people, and their interesting services in the open 
air, was very touching, and tended to illustrate the reality and 
strength of their piety. There was something in such scenes calcu- 
lated to stimulate the missionary spirit, and lead to extraordinary 
efforts. 

After long patience, much privation, and great labour, the chapel 
(a view of which is prefixed to this account), was erected, and 
opened on the 2d of December, 1837. It is sixty-four feet by forty- 
four, and looks a neat and comfortable place of worship. The opening 
services were very interesting. The collections amounted to 
£37 3s. 9d. On the 1st of August, in the following year, Mr. 
Whitehouse held a very interesting service, when he preached in 
the new chapel to a crowded congregation from Deut. vi. 22-24., 
pointing out the duty of parents to set before their children an 
example of obedience to the commands of God, the result of a faith- 
ful discharge of parental duty, and the obligation of mortals to 
acknowledge the hand of God in all their mercies ; and concluded 
with an application of the subject, which was attended with the 
divine blessing. At the close of the service, several persons were in 
distress of soul on account of sin, and some appeared indisposed to 
leave the chapel. He observed — " I conversed and prayed with the 
individuals under conviction for two hours or more, and never was 
more satisfied of anything than that what I saw was the work of 
God. The people were in an agony, under a deep conviction of their 
guiltiness and danger, and the language of their prayers was as rational 
and scriptural, as they were earnest in its utterance. 1 Lord have 
mercy upon me !' ' God be merciful to me a sinner !' ' What must 
I do to be saved V was heard from every part of the chapel. At the 
close of the meeting, I took down the names of fifteen persons 
who professed to have received the blessing of peace with God through 
our Lord Jesus Christ. We had been favoured with tokens of an 
outpouring of the Spirit, three weeks before, at a watch-night service, 
and since then we have had indications of a coming shower of 
heavenly influence, in other parts of the circuit. I pray that this 
may prove the beginning of a mighty work, which shall triumph 
over the evils around us." 

When a new arrangement of the stations in St. Ann's circuit was 
made in 1841, Ocho-Rios, Beechamville, Watson ville, and Mount 
Bunting were comprehended in St. Ann's east circuit, to which were 
added, the next year, Mount Rosser and Ep worth. To form the 
latter society, about a hundred members were removed from the 
society at Ocho-Rios, but the large number of stations occasioned the 
removal of the missionary to a more convenient position for attending 
to them, which had an unfavourable influence on the Ocho-Rios 
society, as it was impossible to give it more than one service in the 

2 F 



234 



BROWN S TOWN. 



week. A further change took place in 1843, which left three chapels 
and two other places to be supplied by two missionaries, who had under 
their care twelve hundred and fifty members, with about two thousand 
hearers. There were four day schools, with about two hundred and 
fifty scholars, besides nearly two hundred in the Sabbath schools. 

BROWN'S TOWN. 

It was not till 1835 that the attention of the Wesleyan Missionaries 
was particularly called to this locality, as one suitable for a new sta- 
tion, though some years previously Mr. Box and others had preached 
frequently at Stewart's Town, which is only a few miles westward. 
The town is situated in a beautiful mountain district, to the south- 
west of St. Ann's Bay. All around, the land is fertile and richly 
wooded, except where cleared for estates and small settlements. Most 
of the estates are situated on the slopes and level lands towards the 
sea, and present many interesting views to the eye of the traveller 
as he ascends the declivities leading to Brown's Town and the neigh- 
bouring properties, and settlements of small freeholders. When Mr. 
Whitehouse and his colleagues were favoured with extraordinary 
success in other parts of the extensive parish of St. Ann, after the 
cessation of the long continued persecutions to which both mis- 
sionaries and their people had been subjected, he was urged, by re- 
peated deputations, to add Brown's Town to the stations already ex- 
isting ; but the want of a sufficient number of missionaries to attend 
to the work of the circuit, rendered it impossible for him to accede 
to their earnest entreaties for a considerable time. When writing to 
the Committee in August, 1835, he earnestly pleaded that two col- 
leagues might be given him, to enable him to attend to the neigh- 
bourhood of Brown's Town, where there were many thousands, who 
had not yet attached themselves to any religious society, willing to 
hear the Gospel, and who had repeatedly sent to him, begging that 
he would visit them. He proposed that Pope's Bay and Brown's 
Town should be formed into a circuit, in the event of more mis- 
sionaries being sent. 

After giving all the attention to their neighbourhood that the nu- 
merous engagements of the missionaries would admit of, Brown's 
Town at length appeared as the head of a circuit, embracing stations 
at Brown's Town, Tabernacle, Sawyer's Market, and Crooked River. 

In 1841, Mr. Randerson, whose residence was at Enfield, about a 
mile and a-half west of Brown's Town, laboured with great zeal to dif- 
fuse the light of the glorious Gospel among the inhabitants of these 
mountains. At the end of the year, the general state of that circuit 
was found to be encouraging, though, from the number and distance 
of the places from each other, one missionary could not give that 
amount of attention necessary to insure extensive and solid pros- 



Browns town Chapel. 




Stewats town Chapel 



brown's town. 



235 



perity. Brown's Town gave much encouragement ; the number of 
members was 130. Stewart's Town was prospering, and the mem- 
bers amounted to 318. At the Tabernacle, there were 368 members. 
A blessed work had been going forward. An unusual degree of Di- 
vine influence had rested on the means of grace, and a goodly num- 
ber, who had been resting in the form, began to experience the 
power of religion. The members at Sawyer's Market amounted to 
88 ; and those at Crooke' 1 River, to 44. This latter station was 
about thirty miles distam from the residence of the missionary, 
through some of the worst roads in the island, which, in bad weather, 
were altogether impassable. On the removal of Mr Seccombe from 
Falmouth circuit, early in 1842, he took the place of Mr. Rander- 
son in this extensive field of labour. He found much encourage- 
ment at Brown's Town and Stewart's Town ; while, at the Taber- 
nacle, the large congregations rendered a new chapel very desirable. 
The total number of members at the end of the year was nearly a 
thousand, with above eighty candidates. There were two Sabbath 
and two day Schools, with two salaried and eleven gratuitous 
teachers. 

In the month of August, the writer attended a missionary meeting 
at Brown's Town. The congregation was large, respectable, and 
attentive; while the Rev. Messrs. Clarke (of the Baptist mission), 
Edmondson, Seccombe, Randerson, and Sinclair, pleaded with them 
in behalf of perishing millions of the human family, who are still un- 
visited by the light of the Gospel. The day following, a similar 
meeting was held at the Tabernacle, which was densely crowded, 
and the roof of the building being very low, rendered it almost suf- 
focating. The contributions of the people to the mission fund 
throughout the circuit for that year, was above sixty pounds ster- 
ling. 

In 1844, while Mr H. B. Foster laboured in this circuit, he felt 
encouraged, though, at the same time, deeply sensible of the neces- 
sity of an additional labourer, in order to meet the urgent wants of 
the several stations. In November, he wrote : — " Our missionary meet- 
ings at Brown's Town, Stewart's Town, and Kingswood, held in 
October, were delightfully interesting and hallowed seasons ; and, 
considering the present depression, the amounts raised were very en- 
couraging. The additional help of another missionary is greatly 
wanted ; and the appointment of another would, I am confident, soon 
be amply remunerated in the ingathering of souls, now straying for 
want of more attention, which it is not in our power to pay them. 
On Sunday last, I visited one of our most distant stations in Claren- 
don. The booth was filled, and numbers were outside. After service, 
the leader said to me, ' Minister, can you not appoint a local preacher 
from St. Ann's to visit us every Sunday, when you do not come ? 
for now Mr. Clark is dead, we shall miss him so.' I was obliged 
to reply, ' I feared I could not appoint one every Sunday, our num- 



230 



Stewart's town. 



ber not being sufficient, and the roads from Brown's Town to Clar- 
endon so bad, it is with difficulty either they or I can go.' Sickness 
is prevailing to a very alarming extent in this and several other 
parts of the island. The lamented death of our brother Davies will 
have reached you ere the receipt of this. Fever is fearfully raging, 
even in these (generally healthy) mountains. Last week we lost 
one of our valuable local preachers, a black man, named John Clark, 
above alluded to ; the loss of whose useful labours, as a local 
preacher, leader, and society steward, will be deeply felt in this cir- 
cuit, and especially in the society at Kingswood. Yesterday, a 
Scotch lady, a few days before in perfect health, the wife of a gentle- 
man residing on the property adjoining our mission residence, fell a 
victim to fever, after three days' illness. Truly, it may be said in 
this land, ' In the midst of life we are in death.' " 

During this season of general sickness, the health of Mr. Foster 
suffered, and for a time prevented him giving his full attention to the 
demands of this laborious and extensive circuit. With regard to 
the day-school at Brown's Town, he observed that the children were 
decidedly improving in behaviour, both in and out of school, their 
knowledge of the Scriptures and the catechism, were pleasing and 
satisfactory. In reading, their improvement was evident ; in writ- 
ing, some had done well ; their acquirements in grammar were mo- 
derate ; and in arithmetic, they were not deficient. At Greenhill, a 
similar degree of improvement was manifest. The want of a suffi- 
cient number of missionaries affected this, along with many other 
stations, in the island, though the most recent account of it was of a 
favourable character. Notwithstanding the lamentable financial de- 
pression of the whole community, the contributions of the people in 
this circuit, last year, amounted to nearly forty -five pounds, shewing 
that the people have not ceased to feel for a world lying in wick- 
edness, and for whose miseries the Gospel is the only remedy. 



STEWART'S TOWN. 

When Mi*. Box was stationed at Falmouth in 1829, he extended his 
labours to several other places, some of which were at a consider- 
able distance, among which was Stewart's Town, where he was en- 
couraged to form a Society, which promised to become a valuable 
addition to the circuit. The place in which the people assembled 
soon became too small for their accommodation, so that, the next 
year, they were compelled to enlarge it. Still it was found to be 
inadequate. Mr. B. observed, in September, 1839, that the place 
was crowded as usual, that he felt it extremely hot, and the labour 
of speaking very oppressive ; yet the sight of so many precious souls 
seeking the Lord, inspired him with more than common vigour. 
Four months after this, he wrote, — " Our cause at Stewart's Town 



STEWART'S TOWN. 



237 



promises to do exceedingly well, and will certainly do so, provided 
we can bestow more attention upon it next year. We have found it 
necessary to get the landlord to enlarge the place to thrice its original 
size ; and he now wishes us to purchase the premises, which I am 
disposed to think will be the best step we can take." Their con- 
tinued attention to the services and earnest reception of the truths 
preached to them, greatly encouraged him. In October, he observed 
that he was delighted with the attention of the people, while he was 
enlarging upon the narrative of blind Bartimeus. They drank in 
every word, and he had no doubt but that many of them would be 
living witnesses of the power of Christ to save. 

From the suffocating heat of the chapel, he held a service in the 
open air in November, of which he gave the following brief ac- 
count: — " After renewing the tickets, I commenced divine service ; but 
as the place was intensely hot, and numbers could not get in, I re- 
quested them to stand under the plantain trees, by the side of the 
house, and taking my station upon an eminence, preached to them 
from John iii. 16. The novelty of the thing excited much interest 
among them ; while the high sounding praises of God which they 
uttered, formed a striking contrast with the din of the Sunday market, 
at a short distance from us." The debilitating effect of preaching to 
crowds, huddled together in small low-roofed places in Jamaica, has 
been painfully felt by the missionaries ; while, on the other hand, 
preaching in the open air has been attended with injury to health, 
and in some cases proved fatal. A few weeks after this, he visited 
an Irishman, whom he found to be a Roman catholic, but stated that 
he was looking to Christ for salvation. He exhorted and prayed 
with him ; and in an hour after he left his bed-side, he closed his 
eyes in death! On the 19th December, he preached a funeral ser- 
mon from 1 Cor. xv. 22, in order to improve the death of the first 
member who joined the Society at Stewart's Town — she was a free 
black woman. 

Though the preaching place had been sufficiently enlarged to ac- 
commodate the congregation, yet he expected, from the attendance 
and concern of the people, that it would soon be again too small. 
However, these promising appearances were soon blighted by the 
breaking out of the insurrection, and the severe and long- continued 
persecutions which followed, all which tended to make the love of 
many wax cold, till, in 1834, the brethren were again able to an- 
nounce that their hearts were cheered in reference to this place, 
where God was dispensing his blessings and saving souls ; and the 
indifference which had for a time marked the state of the people, had 
been succeeded by their diligent attendance on the means of grace. 
The number of members at this period was two hundred and fifty- 
two, and the leaders seventeen. Prosperity continued to crown the 
efforts of the missionaries at this station till, in 1838, a mournful in- 
terest was given to it by the death of the General Superintendent of 



238 



Stewart's town. 



the Schools, who was arrested in his career of usefulness at this place. 
The arrival of Mr. Bewley in the island has been noticed in the 
account of Kingston circuit. The circumstances of his death were 
communicated to the Committee by Messrs. Ritchie and Hornby, in 
the following letter, dated July 16th : — " It becomes our painful duty 
to communicate the mournful intelligence of the death of our excel- 
lent and esteemed fellow-labourer in the vineyard of the Lord, the 
Rev. T. H. Bewley, Superintendent of all our Schools, who died 
at this place on Saturday morning last, of yellow fever. Mr. 
Bewley left Kingston on Thursday the 5th instant, for the purpose 
of visiting our Mission Schools, on the north side of the island ; and, 
according to a previous arrangement, reached this place on Sunday 
the 8th, in order to preach the Annual Missionary Sermons, and at- 
tend the Missionary meeting ; intending to proceed through Dun- 
can's and Falmouth to Montego Bay, by the following Sabbath, for 
similar purposes. On Sunday morning, the 8th, Mr. Bewley 
preached an excellent sermon from Matt. xi. 25, 26 — 4 At that time 
Jesus answered and said, I thank thee, O Father,' &c. ; and in the 
evening, with his usual ability, from 2 Cor. vi. 1, 2 — 4 We then as 
workers together with him, beseech you that ye receive not the 
grace of God in vain,' &c. The latter part of the text, 4 Behold now 
is the day of salvation,' he dwelt upon with peculiar feeling. From 
the time of his arrival in Stewart's Town, our deceased brother com- 
plained of fatigue, but was under no apprehension of any fatal con- 
sequences. On Tuesday morning, the 10th, he was attacked with 
fever, unattended with any dangerous symptoms. A medical man 
was, however, immediately sent for, and prompt measures were re- 
sorted to. On Thursday morning, Messrs. Ritchie, Williams, and 
Foster, and Mr. Knibb, Baptist Missionary, being here, having at- 
tended the missionary meeting the preceding evening, were alarmed 
by the symptoms which appeared, and, after consultation, decided 
upon sending an express to his wife, requesting her immediately to 
come over. We also despatched a messenger to Falmouth for ad- 
ditional medical aid. Five medical men attended upon the deceased, 
one or more of whom never left the house. Mrs. Hornby and our- 
selves were in constant attendance, day and night, doing whatever 
was necessary in his distressing circumstances. On Friday morning, 
the symptoms became still more alarming, and the doctors held out 
little hope of recovery. Towards the evening of Friday, Mr. Bew- 
ley became delirious, and continued so all night, and, with little in- 
termission, till his death. On Saturday morning, consciousness of 
outward things seemed to have left him. Convulsive fits came on ; 
the black vomit indicated death's approach ; and at twenty minutes 
before eleven he breathed his last. 

44 While we lament the departure of one so dear to all his brethren, 
and whose labours were so highly appreciated, wherever he exercised 
his ministry, we are relieved from overmuch sorrow, by the assur- 



Stewart's town. 



239 



ance that, in the full triumph of faith, he entered upon his reward. 
About mid-day on Friday, he was asked if he was happy. His 
words were nearly as follow : — ' O yes ! from the age of sixteen 
I have never wickedly departed from the Saviour. I have been un- 
faithful ; but I know he will never say anything about my unfaith- 
ness. I cast myself at his feet. 

4 I the chief of sinners am, 
But Jesus died for me.' 

I have delightful views of the heavenly world. I now give up every- 
thing earthly ; my only care was about my wife and children ; but I 
now give all up ; they are in good hands. I am ready to go.' He 
expressed a wish that we should pray with him. We tried to read 
John xiv., but neither of us could proceed. He then requested to 
have the book, and himself read and expounded several verses, in 
an animated and delightful manner. We prayed with him, and re- 
ferred in prayer to the 1 dark valley of the shadow of death.' ' O ! it 
is not dark! It is not dark !' said the dying saint, 'all is light.' 
Mr. Bewley, however, after this, experienced considerable exercise of 
mind ; but his faith was unwavering, and the promises of God were 
his unfailing stay. About two hours before he expired, he was 
asked if Jesus was precious to him, ' O yes ! O yes !' he replied, 
while a heavenly smile beamed upon his countenance. Mr. Bew- 
ley talked extremely familiarly about the heavenly world. ' O !' 
said he, ' it is all right. There are Valentine Ward, my father, 
my grandfather, my little boy, and many more waiting for me.' He 
spoke with considerable emotion of God's faithfulness to the children 
of the righteous, remarking that his father and grandfather were 
godly persons, and that he was the child of many prayers. We all 
felt, while standing or kneeling by his bed, that — 

' The chamber where the good man meets his fate 
Is privileged above the common walks 
Of virtuous life, just on the verge of heaven.' 

His strong faith and perfect resignation produced a hallowed impres- 
sion upon our minds. We inwardly prayed — 

4 O ! may I triumph so, 

When all my warfare's past, 
And dying, find my latest foe 
Under my feet at last.' 

" On Friday, Mr. Bewley wished to have his will made : we 
complied with his request ; and after he had thus * set his house in 
order,' he appeared to have nothing to do but wait the coming of his 
Lord. On Sunday morning, within a few minutes of the very time 
he arrived in Stewart's Town, on the preceding Sabbath, the remains 
of our deceased brother were consigned to the silent grave, in sure 
and certain hope of a joyous resurrection. The Rev. D. Kerr, from 
Montego Bay, read the funeral service. The Rev. J. Vine, of the 



240 



Stewart's town. 



London Missionary Society, delivered an appropriate and impressive 
address to a large company, who had assembled to testify their respect 
for the departed. The Rev. J. Clarke, Baptist Missionary, offered a 
devout and affecting prayer at the grave. The whole of the service 
was peculiarly solemn, and, we trust, the event will produce a salu- 
tary effect in the neighbourhood. 

" A few hours after Mr. Bewley was laid In the tomb, his bereaved 
widow arrived, accompanied by the Rev. Robert Inglis, who had 
travelled with the utmost possible haste. Her feelings may be better 
imagined than described. An affectionate husband has been taken 
away from an affectionate wife ! Mrs. Bewley is still here, expecting 
to return to Kingston to-morrow morning. 

"We cannot but say, 'A great man has fallen in Israel;' but 
while God buries his workmen, he still carries on his work." 

On the arrival of the intelligence of his death in England, the 
Committee expressed the estimation in which they held him, by 
recording in their minutes the following : — 

'* The Committee have received, with deep and poignant sorrow, 
the intelligence of the sudden removal, by death, of the Rev. Thomas 
Henry Bewley from the scene of his useful labours, as the superin- 
tendent of the Wesleyan Mission Schools in the island of Jamaica. 
The amiable spirit and manners of the deceased, his sincere and 
ardent piety, superior ministerial talents, zeal, and diligence in the 
work of the Lord, and the success with which it pleased the Great 
Head of the Church to crown his brief but honourable career, in the 
peculiar department of service recently assigned him, have caused his 
death to be mourned as a public loss in the colony in which it has 
occurred ; and the Committee cannot but feel that by the affecting 
event they have been deprived of one of their most valuable agents. 

" The Committee deeply sympathise with the bereaved widow and 
fatherless children, with the other esteemed relatives and numerous 
friends of the deceased, and with his surviving fellow-labourers in the 
foreign field, under this mysterious visitation of Divine Providence, 
and earnestly pray that He who ' comforteth the distressed,' may pour 
into their sorrowing hearts the ' strong consolations' of his Holy 
Spirit. 

" The Committee desire meekly to submit to this painful visita- 
tion of Him who cannot err. They are relieved and consoled by the 
reflection, that death, although it was sudden, found their esteemed 
and lamented brother blessedly prepared for his departure to a 
glorious immortality, and that his end was eminently peaceful and 
triumphant." 

It was the privilege of this excellent man to have had a pious 
father, whose instructions and example were made a lasting blessing 
to him, so that when he was ten years of age, he saw and felt the 
importance of true religion, which led him frequently to the throne of 
grace to plead for the pardon of his sins, through faith in the blood 



STEWART S TOWN. 



24 i 



of his Redeemer. At the age of sixteen, he obtained a clear and 
satisfactory evidence of his acceptance with God, the remembrance 
of which cheered him on his death-bed. In 1823, he was called to 
the work of the ministry, and appointed to the Whitehaven circuit, 
where God blessed his labours, and crowned them with great success. 
Afterwards, he laboured in Ireland, Edinburgh, and Manchester. 
While in Scotland, the writer for a time sat under his instructive 
ministry, with pleasure and profit. In 1829, he was afflicted with 
severe mental depression, and bodily affliction, which compelled him 
for a season to retire from his ministerial work. On recovering his 
health and peace of mind, he again felt strongly constrained to return 
to the work of calling sinners to repentance. The Conference 
cordially received him, and appointed him to the important mission, 
in the prosecution of which he was called away by Him who hath 
appointed the bounds of our habitation, and who, although he buries 
his workmen, still carries on his work. 

In the view of the chapel, prefixed to the account of Brown's 
Town, Mr. Bewley's tomb may be seen, near the front of Stewart's 
Town chapel, to the left of the steps. 

Mr. Hornby felt exceedingly happy in his work in this circuit. 
With abundance to do, he went on cheerfully in the discharge of his 
manifold duties, as may appear from the following extract of a letter, 
written early in November : — 

" It affords me real pleasure to be able to report of the continued 
and increasing prosperity of God's work amongst us. Since the 
ever-to-be-remembered 1st of August, we have witnessed a steady 
and pleasing advancement of the Redeemer's interests. Our con- 
gregations have materially improved, both in number and respecta- 
bility, and our societies have become proportionably larger. In con- 
nexion with this, as might naturally be expected, the weekly and 
quarterly contributions have become considerably larger. I have 
tried to persuade the people under my charge, that as they are now as 
well off as the generality of those in England, who have long con- 
tributed to support their missionaries, they ought now to prove 
themselves grateful for the blessing received, by supporting their own 
missionaries, and even assisting others ; and I am glad to find that 
the people respond to the appeal. The pleasing prospect around me 
inspires the thoughts as I pen them. I have been at this place 
keeping school for a week ; and, though each night greatly fatigued, 
I cannot think of giving it up. I have had about sixty pupils, all 
sable sons of Ham each day. Many of them are adults who have 
been slaves ; they work one week, and come to school another ; they 
can afford to do it, and their anxiety to learn is delightful. They 
begin at six in the morning, and I have literally to drive them away 
at night. My hands are full of work. Expecting to go away from 
the circuit at the end of the year, I do not care to have another 
teacher, and I attend to one school myself. I preach often, travel 

2 G 



242 



STEWART S TOWN. 



much, and have much circuit business to attend to, but I have good 
health. I love the people, God is with me, and I labour on at his 
command." 

Mr. Hornby's successors continued to labour zealously for the ad- 
vancement of the welfare of the society here, and throughout the 
circuit generally. In August, 1842, the writer was present at a 
crowded missionary meeting, at Stewart's Town, at which Messrs. 
Knibb and Clarke, (Baptist Missionaries) besides several of his 
Wesleyan brethren, spoke. There was an excellent spirit in the 
meeting, which indicated that Messrs. Randerson and Seccombe had 
not laboured in vain, in urging the people to aid in diffusing the 
Gospel throughout the world. 

While attending this and some other meetings, a pleasing incident 
occurred, which showed the great revolution which had taken place 
in public sentiment, with regard to the mission. As Mr. Randerson 
and the writer were travelling towards Brown's Town, an elderly, 
keen-eyed, intelligent, fresh-looking gentleman saluted Mr. R., and 
asked him how he was, and whither he was travelling ; on which Mr. 
R. intimated that we were on our way to hold a missionary meeting 
in his neighbourhood. The gentleman regretted that he was going 
from home, or he would have been present ; but though he should 
not be there, his son-in-law and daughter would. He then, in the 
most friendly manner, expressed his hope that the meeting would 
prove a good one. When he was gone, the writer asked who he was, 
and, on hearing his name, he was most agreeably surprised to find 
that he was a member of Assembly, and had once been one of the 
most determined opposers of the mission and the missionaries, even 
in the persecuting parish of St. Ann ; but that he now occasionally 
visited the chapel, and mingled in worship with those whom he for- 
merly would have disdained to set with the dogs of his flock, and took 
every opportunity of giving expression of friendly feeling towards the 
missionaries. In 1843, when the writer visited this place for the 
last time, there were 324 members in the Society, the congrega- 
tions were very large, and the prospect encouraging. 



243 



CHAPTER XVII. 

BATH, ST. THOMAS IN THE EAST. 

Situation and appearance of Bath— A mission proposed to Messrs. Underhill and 
Home— Premises purchased and a Society formed— Successful labours of Messrs. 
Johnstone, Duncan, Tremayne, Whitehouse, Orton, and Crookes— Mr. Samuel 
appointed to the circuit— Discipline— a Negro Funeral— Moral evils of Slavery- 
Death of a Slave— Messrs. Bleby and Ritchie— Prosperity of the Mission under 
Messrs. Simmons, Edney, and Rowden— a New Chapel erected— Mr. Atkins. 

Forty-four miles to the east of the City of Kingston, the lovely 
little village of Bath is situated, at the southern base of a pile of hills, 
which terminate in the majestic Blue Mountain range. The traveller 
having left the sea at Port Morant, turns northward, by a road in 
some parts extremely difficult to travel in wet weather, on account 
of the depth of mud through which he must struggle to get forward. 
For five miles the luxuriance of the vegetation is extremely interesting : 
bread-fruit, mango, cocoa nut, plaintain, star-apple, and other trees 
abound, along with the varied productions of negro provision grounds. 
For a considerable part of the way, the road lies on the left of two 
hills, parallel with each other, with a valley between them. On 
reaching Plaintain Garden river, the lofty Blue Mountain range pre- 
sents its southern side to view, thickly clothed with the verdure of 
trees and shrubbery of every lovely tint. Near the fording place, 
where Plantain Garden river is joined by Island river, the eye is 
arrested by a magnificent specimen of the wild cotton tree, whose 
gigantic light grey trunk is surmounted by a few horizontal limbs and 
branches, in keeping with the massive column which supports them, 
and from which lichens, withes, and creeping vines depend. As the 
village is buried in the foliage which surrounds it, this monarch of the 
wood appears as if reared to mark the spot in which it lies. A little 
way beyond the crossing, the road turns to the right, and preserves a 
perfectly straight line as far as Sulphur river, which bounds the 
village op the east. Most of the houses, and a few stores, are 
arranges each side of this road, which is bordered by rows of what 
the inhabitants call the South Sea apple tree, along with cocoa-nut, 
and palmetto royal, and bread-fruit trees. The other houses lie to 
the east of the Botanic Garden. The situation is beautiful, and 
bordering on the romantic. The chapel and mission-house are 
opposite to the church, and a large building erected for baths, a club- 
room, and ball-room ; in looking from which, the mission premises 
appear at the mouth of a ravine, which leads to the celebrated mineral 
spring which originally led to the formation of the village. The 



244 



BATH. 



mountains present a magnificent scene, not only from their abrupt- 
ness and elevation,- but by the richness and variety of the foliage with 
which they are profusely clothed. The orange, cocoa-nut, bread-fruit, 
mango, star-apple, palmetto-royal, mahogany, avocadoe-pear, jack- 
fruit, lime, citron, guava, and the graceful bamboo, appear in the 
greatest luxuriance, interspersed with shrubbery, guinea-grass, and 
tropical esculents, and flowers, kept in perpetual verdure by the lains 
which fall in great abundance throughout the year in this region. 
The medicinal springs are about a mile and a-half above the village. 
There are two of them, the one hot and the other cold ; the latter 
flows in several small streams out of a cleft of the rock which con- 
fines the middle part of Sulphur river on the east, as it flows south 
towards the village. At its source, the hot spring is very high in 
temperature, though not hot enough to boil an egg, as some have 
asserted — the experiment having been tried by the writer. The 
water is light, and " plentifully charged with volatile particles of 
mineral acid, combined with sulphurous steam, slightly engaged in a 
calcareous base. The cold spring is more fully charged with sulphur." 
Both have been found beneficial in cutaneous disorders, obstructions 
of the viscera, and other diseases. For the accommodation of patients 
and visitors, there are several baths, in a building near the springs, 
into which the hot or cold water can be admitted in any proportions 
desired. Considerable sums of public money have been spent in 
order to establish and keep up the Botanical Garden ; but hitherto 
little good has resulted from it. The physician to the bath had the 
management of it ; but there was little encouragement held out to a 
scientific naturalist to render it what it might be under proper culture. 
The estates in this part of the country are among the richest and 
most profitable in the island. The parish contains one hundred and 
twenty-eight thousand acres of land, divided into five districts, named, 
severally, Manchioneal, Plantain Garden river, Port Morant, Morant, 
and Blue Mountain districts. Previously to the abolition of slavery, 
there were twenty-five thousand slaves on the estates, besides stock. 
The principal properties were Golden-Grove, Amity-Hall, Stoakes- 
Hall, Rhine, Duckenfield, Holland, Hoardley, Wheelers- Field, 
Winchester, Green Castle, Pleasant Hill, Potosi, in the Plantain 
Garden river district, with many more of considerable size. 

Though the mission at Morant Bay had existed from 1802, it was 
not till 1819 that Bath, which is only twelve miles to the N.E. of it, 
was fixed on as a station, owing to the abundance of work the 
brethren had to do in other places. — At length, an opening presented 
itself, when Messrs. Horne and Underhill were appointed to St. 
Thomas in the East. The latter began his M*ork in the country parts 
of the circuit, on the 1 8th of March, of which he gave an account on 
his first visit to Bath. He observed — ' ' In the evening, I arrived 
safely in Bath, and was entertained -with great hospitality and respect 
by Dr. West, Physician to the Bath, who, on my leaving in the 



BATH. 



245 



morning, gave me a letter of introduction to an estate twelve miles 
farther on, at which place I took dinner, and in the evening rode on 
to Manchioneal Bay." Towards the end of the following month, he 
again spent part of a day with Dr. West, at whose house he met 
with Mr. S., a magistrate, and several other gentlemen, who assured 
him that they were determined to have a preaching house at Bath, 
if he and Mr. Home would supply them with preaching, on which 
Mr. E. assured them that if they would provide a place, he and Mr. 
H. would give them all the labour they possibly could. This was 
encouraging, as above five hundred of the members, belonging to 
Morant Bay Society, lived in the vicinity of Bath, which compelled 
them to walk from eight to sixteen miles to attend the services on 
the Lord's Day. 

It was sometime ere this favourable opening could be attended to, 
as Mr. Home was removed. His successor, Mr. Hartley, was cut 
off by fever. Mr. Underbill's health failed, which compelled him to 
leave the circuit for a time ; and when he returned, it was only to 
suffer and die. Mr. Ratcliffe, who followed, was brought to the 
brink of the grave ; and his beloved wife and two children were car- 
ried off by fever, which compelled him to go to another part of the 
island, to seek the recovery of his health, and a mitigation of his 
sorrows, by engaging in new scenes of labour. 

Early in 1820, the above gentlemen secured premises, capable of 
being fitted up for a chapel. Mr. Ratcliffe observed, that, having 
been kindly entertained by Dr. West, they went after dinner to view 
the premises lately purchased for a chapel, remarking that if means 
for fitting it up could be raised, it might soon be equal to the support 
of a married missionary. However, it was above a year after this 
that Mr. Johnstone, after a great deal of labour, succeeded in getting 
the necessary alterations and improvements completed. Mr. Dun- 
can, his colleague, then but recently come to the island, noticed these 
exertions of his aged and devoted superintendent, in a letter dated 
May, 1821, as follows: — " The chapel is now nearly finished, and 
is a very decent looking place, but without any superfluous orna- 
ment. Mr. Johnstone has had, however, a great deal of fatigue and 
anxiety about it ever since he came to the Bay ; for, as we could 
hire no waggon to carry up the materials from Port Morant to Bath, 
he had many a hot ride between the different places. Nor would he 
allow me to take any journey but to parts of the circuit in the regular 
course of duty, lest, by not being seasoned to the climate, my 
health should be injured." This short extract presents a touching 
picture of the paternal kindness of this truly devoted missionary to- 
wards his young fellow-labourer, and his self-sacrificing zeal in his 
missionary work. These exertions brought him down to the grave 
in a few months after the accomplishment of his object at Bath, as 
has been noticed in the account of the Morant Bay station, where he 
died in the month of October. 



246 



BATH. 



In 1 822, Bath appeared as one of the stations in the Morant Bay 
circuit. No sooner was the chapel opened than the people nocked 
to the service in such'numbers that it was soon found to be far too 
small. There was a spirit of religious enquiry awakened, not only 
among the slaves, but many of the free people also began to give 
heed to the things spoken. A gradual and visible improvement in 
character and conduct marked the members of the society, and the 
prospect of the station becoming one of great importance, cheered the 
missionaries in their efforts to evangelize the benighted thousands 
who had hitherto been left to the full influence of the evils of slavery 
and African superstition. The chief difficulty felt in carrying on the 
mission here, was the want of efficient local assistants. While the 
greatest anxiety was shewn by the people to attend the means of 
grace, there was too limited a supply of missionaries, and of persons 
competent to aid in watching over those who were placed in circum- 
stances of difficulty, with regard to their spiritual improvement. 
From the hindrances slavery threw in their way, it was impossible 
for the people to attend the chapel above one Sabbath in three or 
four. 

An extension of the labours of the missionary as far as to Port 
Antonio, in 1826, along with other things, prevented that degree of 
religious prosperity which was anxiously desired. In reporting at 
the close of the year, the brethren observed, — " Many circumstances 
have contributed to make the work go on heartily in this circuit 
during the past year — viz. the great lack of service, there being still 
but one missionary ; the long-continued wet season ; the general 
sickness that has prevailed among the people ; and our visiting Port 
Antonio : yet it is cheering to be able to state, that the Word of Life 
has not been preached in vain. Many also have died in the Lord, 
leaving behind them the most satisfactory evidence that they have 
not only ceased from their labours, but entered into rest. Con- 
sidering the largeness of the Society, expulsions have not been so fre- 
quent as might have been expected." At this period the members 
amounted to about thirteen hundred. The state of the people the 
year following, gave greater satisfaction ; many were in earnest for 
salvation, and the spiritual experience of others was considerably 
improved up till 1828. Messrs. Tremayne, Beard, Whitehouse, and 
Orton, had successively laboured in this laborious and encouraging 
field of usefulness, with increasing effect. At the end of 1828, the 
state of the society was more satisfactory than at any former period. 
Many of the members were living in the enjoyment of " peace with 
God through our Lord Jesus Christ," who shewed the reality of their 
piety by their consistent conduct. The brethren remarked, — " If we 
may judge of the spiritual state of many of them by their experience 
in our love-feasts, and at the quarterly visitations, and the blessed 
influence felt and evinced in the general ordinances of God's house, 
we may conclude that, during the past year, many have improved in 



BATH. 



247 



the knowledge and love of God. We believe this is the case ; se- 
veral have, in their last moments, given satisfactory proof of their 
union with Christ, and hope of endless life." 

Circumstances having rendered necessary the removal of Mr. 
Orton in September, 1829, Bath was without a resident missionary 
for more than a year, which was greatly felt, especially as Mr. Pen- 
man, who was stationed at Morant Bay, and used to preach at Bath, 
was cut off by fever, which, for a time, left the people as sheep with- 
out a shepherd. However, the leaders discharged their duties with 
zeal and faithfulness, as far as they were able. Discipline was pretty 
well kept up, till Mr. Crookes was appointed to Bath in 1831 ; after 
whose removal, the writer, having arrived in the island, was ap- 
pointed to succeed him. 

On the arrival of the writer at Bath, towards the end of Ja- 
nuary, 1832, he was affectionately received by the people; and, 
though the spirit of persecution was abroad, making havoc of the 
mission in many parts of the island, at Bath there was a degree of 
peace, which enabled us to continue the services on the Lord's Day, 
and to hold the weekly meeting of the leaders. At the latter, a case 
of discipline was brought forward on the 18th of February, which 
throws some light on the state of the Society. At six o'clock on Fri- 
day morning, all the leaders assembled, some from a distance of eight 
or nine miles. The meeting having been opened by singing and 
prayer, and the usual financial business disposed of, a woman appeared, 
charged with having been insolent to her owner, while she was being 
flogged by his order. From the evidence adduced, it appeared that 
she had employed language, and shewn a temper at variance with 
her religious profession. On having this pointed out to her, she 
wept bitterly, clasped her hands, and, in impassioned language, ex- 
claimed, " Me minister, me pray, me hebenly Fader, fu forgib me dis 
sin, an dot me no do sich like any mo /" Her feelings were power- 
fully excited, and her penitence appearing to be really sincere, she 
was admonished and put on trial. The manner in which this case 
was conducted, shewed that there was among the leaders a strong 
sense of the importance of consistency in the conduct of those who 
united themselves to the Society, and that even strong provocation 
was no justification for sinning against God. The Society Steward, 
Charles Christie, a free black man, was very zealous, upright, and 
useful. The anxiety he and others shewed to keep the church pure, 
gave powerful evidence of the purifying and elevating influence of 
the Gospel among them. There was no attempt at concealing sin, 
or screening an offender from church discipline, when deserved. In 
this respect the writer feels constrained to state, that they were ex- 
emplary. 

On the afternoon of the same day, the mother of the above-named 
Steward was consigned to the grave. She had been the mother of 
fourteen children, and had reached her ninetieth year. For about 



•248 



BATH. 



seven years she had looked forward to the hour of her departure, and 
had, according to the custom of pious negroes, provided her grave- 
clothes ; but, in the interval, she had been called to bury her husband 
and one of her children. At length, she was laid upon her death-bed. 
The day before she died, her leader, Mrs. Marsden, a person of 
colour, called to see her. After some conversation and prayer, the 
aged dying woman said, " Me now go die." On being asked if she 
was not afraid to die, she replied, " No me no fraid ; me trust in me 
Saviour ; an me go to him ; fo be wid him fo eber an eber." Soon 
after which, " the weary wheels of life stood still." The effects of 
the Gospel were exhibited in a pleasing light, not only in the death 
of this aged African, but also at her funeral. Towards evening, the 
writer rode to the hamlet, where the company was to assemble for the 
funeral. It lay a little way out of the village, at the western ex- 
tremity of a sugar estate, where the canes were waving luxuriantly in 
the breeze. The negro houses were encircled with bread-fruit, cocoa- 
nut, plantain, and other trees ; and their little gardens and grounds 
were filled with yams, ochros, Indian corn, peppers, arrow-root, and 
other productions, which indicated both industry, and plenty as its re- 
ward. On reaching the house there was a very large number of the 
friends and acquaintances of the deceased congregated, all decently 
dressed ; the females in white muslins, with large flat-brimmed bon- 
nets, trimmed with black ribbon, or their heads, tastefully adorned 
with a richly-figured kerchief, adjusted in the form of a turban. The 
men were either attired in a black suit, or black coat and vest, with 
white trowsers, and broad-brimmed straw, panama, or ordinary black 
hats, so that the appearance of the whole indicated a degree of Chris- 
tian civilization, that was deeply interesting to a new comer. 

As soon as the arrangements were completed, the missionary took 
the lead ; the coffin was borne on the shoulders of four athletic negroes, 
which was covered with a mortcloth ; the relatives took the ribbons, 
according to seniority ; then the whole company followed slowly 
along by the base of the green mountain towards the chapel, where 
part of the burial service being read, an address delivered, and a 
hymn sung, the company proceeded to the burial-ground in the 
chapel-yard, where the rest of the burial service was read, and prayer 
offered. The appearance and conduct of the people was equal to 
anything to be witnessed in England on like occasions, if not rather 
more becoming. As the funeral of a heathen African took place 
while the writer was in Kingston, the contrast between that and this 
was very striking. On that occasion, the scene was deeply humiliat- 
ing. The coffin was carried on the heads of two negroes, who were 
running, stopping, turning, and making jestures, as if for the amuse- 
ment of children ; while crowds ran together shouting, laughing, 
or staring in amazement, as if it were a rabble following a company 
of drunken maniacs. As the writer knew not of a single heathen 
burial during his two years' residence in St. Thomas in the East, it 



BATH. 



249 



may be concluded that the labours of the missionaries had not been 
in vain. What funerals used to be previously, may be seen in 
the accounts given by all who have written of the superstition of the 
Africans. Stewart, who resided above twenty years in Jamaica, ob- 
served that, at their funerals, they " use various ceremonies, among 
which is the practice of pouring libations, and sacrificing a fowl on 
the grave of the deceased — a tribute of respect they occasionally re- 
peat. During the whole of the ceremony, many fantastic motions 
and wild gesticulations are practised, accompanied with a suitable 
beat of their drums, and other rude instruments ; while a melancholy 
dirge is sung by a female, the chorus of which is performed by the 
whole of the other females, with admirable precision, and full-toned 
and not unmelodious voices. When the deceased is interred, the 
plaintive notes of sympathy are no longer heard, the drums resound 
with livelier beat, the song grows more animated, dancing and ap- 
parent merriment commence, and the remainder of the night is usually 
spent in feasting and riotous debauchery. Previous to the inter- 
ment of the corpse, it is sometimes pretended that it is endowed with 
the gift of speech ; and the friends and relatives alternately place 
their ears to the lid of the coffin, to hear what the deceased has to say. 
This generally consists of complaints and upbraidings, for various in- 
juries, treachery, ingratitude, injustice, and, in particular, the non- 
payment of debts due to the deceased. This last complaint is some- 
times shewn by the deceased in a more cogent way than by mere 
words ; for, on coming opposite to the door of a negro debtor, the 
coffin makes a full stop, and no persuasion or strength can induce 
the deceased to go forward peaceably to his grave, till the money is 
paid, so that the unhappy debtor has no alternative but to comply 
with this demand, or have his creditor palmed upon him, as a lodger, 
for sometime. Sometimes, however, the deceased is a little uncon- 
scionable, by claiming a fictitious debt. In short, the superstitious 
practice is often made subservient to fraudulent extortion. A negro, 
who was to be interred in one of the towns, had, it was pretended by 
some of his friends, a claim upon another negro for a sum of money. 
The latter denied any such claim ; and, accordingly, at the funeral 
of the deceased, the accustomed ceremonies took place opposite to 
the door of his supposed debtor ; and this mummery was continued 
for hours, till the magistrates thought proper to interfere, and com- 
pelled the defunct to forego his claim, and proceed quietly on to his 
resting place." 

The only relic of this practice discovered by the writer, was 
brought to his notice by a charge which was preferred against an old 
African slave, who was reported to have been guilty of offering a 
fowl at the grave of a deceased daughter, or near relative, for which 
she was expelled from the society. The conduct of this poor woman 
was evidently regarded as indicative of her being still a heathen in 

2 H 



250 



BATH. 



heart and life, and therefore utterly unfit to be allowed to connect 
herself with those who had embraced the Gospel. 

Though the congregations continued large, and seemed deeply at- 
tentive, and sometimes much affected, under the word, it was only 
a portion of the people who ventured to attend the services during 
the early part of the year, as everything was done to deter them 
from venturing near the mission chapels. In reviewing the year, 
the following circumstances and events were too important to be 
passed by, without remark, as they exhibit the moral and religious 
state of the several classes of the community at this period. Though 
the writer was allowed to go on with his work at Bath, he was ex- 
cluded from the estates ; and a proposal was made to the Gustos to 
arrest and cast him into jail, at the time when Mr. Rowden was im- 
prisoned, which will be noticed when giving an account of the Man- 
chioneal station. On several of the estates, the thatched houses in 
which the slaves used to meet for prayer, were destroyed, to prevent 
them assembling as they had been accustomed ; while everything 
was done to corrupt their morals, and reduce them to their former 
heathen state. They were compelled to attend their grounds and 
the markets on the Lord's Day, that they might have no time left 
for attending the public worship of God, so that many of the people 
got to the chapels in disguise, carrying with them their hoes, bills, 
and cutlasses, as if engaged in their ordinary work. Several of the 
clergy and missionaries petitioned the House of Assembly to abolish 
Sunday markets ; but while eight honourable members appeared in 
favour of the prayer of the petition, twenty-four were against it. 
Concubinage was so general that, out of the whole population of the 
district, only a very few of the free people, whether white or brown, 
were married. So little evil appeared to be connected with what was 
called " the custom of the country," that the coloured females, who 
were living in keeping, regularly appeared in the congregation, as if 
perfectly virtuous. However, these victims to a destructive system 
felt that the pleasures of sin were only for a season. An affecting 
illustration of this was given about the middle of the year. The 
writer having been called to visit a coloured female who was dying 
of dropsy, after being tapped twenty-six times, on entering the 
room where she lay, she eagerly fixed her eyes upon him, seized 
his hand, and cried with feelings greatly excited, "O! Mr. S. 
do what you can for me." " Help me, I am a great sinner." 
She bewailed the life she had lived — she vowed to attend the means 
of grace, and seek the salvation of her soul, if her life should be 
spared ; but the decree had gone forth, and her soul was required of 
her. Her funeral was attended by a great number of white men, 
every one of whom was living in "sin," as the negroes term it. 
These gentlemen were greatly incensed because no well-founded hope 
of a glorious resurrection to eternal life was expressed in reference to 
the deceased, during the reading of the burial service ! One, in pre- 



BATH. 



251 



sence of the rest, demanded a reason for the omission. The reply- 
was, that Wesley an Missionaries, not being under the jurisdiction of 
the Established Church, were under no obligation to make an indis- 
criminate use of the burial service. 

Often has the writer been amazed at the apparent calmness with 
which this class of persons have sat under the severest denunciations 
of the sin in which they were living. As parents trained their 
coloured daughters for the very purpose of disposing of them to the 
highest and best bidder, as soon as they came of age, it was of es- 
sential importance to aim at opening their eyes to the evils of con- 
cubinage. Stewart, in noticing this evil, observes, " Most of the 
females of colour think it more genteel and respectable to be the 
keep-mistress of a white man, if he is in opulent circumstances, and 
can indulge their taste for finery and parade, than to be united in 
wedlock with the most respectable individual of their own class. 
They view marriage, indeed, as an unnecessary and unnatural re- 
straint." " These are the sentiments of nine-tenths of the females of 
colour in this island, and accordingly, at least, that proportion are in 
the situation of housekeepers, as they are here styled by the white 
men ; while the males console themselves in the same way, either 
with one of their own colour, or with a sable companion." 

It is evident that nothing less than the religion of the heart could 
rescue the victims of such a system. One of the members who had 
lived many years in this way, was anxious to preserve her daughter 
from it ; but, after using every means in her power, she followed her 
mother's early example, telling her that, " if she had not wished^her 
to live in sin, she should not have begotten her in sin." The writer 
having seen something of the nature and extent of the system, gave 
notice publicly from the pulpit, that any member of the Society, 
known to countenance their daughters in this sin, would be expelled 
from the Society. A short time afterwards, the daughter of one 
received the addresses of a very decent and industrious young man, 
of her own colour. The day for the marriage was fixed. He was 
on his way from Kingston, with some articles for the occasion ; but 
ere he reached bis home, a white man went to the parents, bargained 
with them, and carried off the expected bride as his housekeeper, 
exulting in his heartless immorality. The mother, who was a party 
to this wickedness, endeavoured to wash her hands of suspicion. 
She was told that as soon as she was discovered sharing the wages of 
her child's iniquity, she should be cut off from the Church. Some- 
time after, both the parents openly frequented the white man's home, 
and gave unqualified support to the proceedings of her daughter, 
which settled the affair of her church membership. 

Sabbath desecration was another of the great evils which struck the 
mind of the writer during this year. The whites, with few excep- 
tions, spent the sacred day either in their ordinary pursuits, reading 
newspapers or novels, writing letters, fishing in the rivers, shooting 



252 



BATH. 



in the woods, or in feasting, carousing, and unlimited debauchery, 
and sometimes in quarrels and duels ; while the slaves were com- 
pelled to till their provision grounds, under the eye of a book-keeper, 
attend the market, wash clothes at the rivers, or, during crop, go 
on with the estate work ; so that, though there might be a con- 
gregation on the Lord's Day of many hundreds, there were still 
many thousands living as if there were no Sabbath to be kept, or 
eternity to prepare for. In the month of June, the races were to be 
held at Bachelors' Hall, a little to the east of Bath. Great ef- 
forts were made to get the new ball-room ready for the occasion ; 
and, in order to this, Sabbath, the 24th, was specially devoted to push 
forward the work. The congregation was unusually large at the 
chapel ; and the quarterly love-feast, for the members, was held ; 
but the conflict between Sabbath desecration and Sabbath sanctifica- 
tion, was as complete as it could be. From early dawn the air was 
rent with the sound of saws, hammers, and human voices ; and as 
the workmen were putting up rails and steps outside, right opposite 
the chapel, and within a hundred feet of it, we were painfully an- 
noyed, and hoped that there would be a cessation by the time the 
morning service commenced, but there was no intermission. The 
poor slaves driven by their task-masters were compelled to proceed ; 
while, in other parts of the village, an unusual amount of market 
business was going forward. Though the village swarmed with 
whites, only five found their way to the Church. Having accom- 
plished their object, a ball took place on the Tuesday evening, dur- 
ing which a terrifnc thunder-storm occurred, with flooding rain, which 
continued most of the night ; but, while the building was illuminated 
by the lightning, and shaken by the thunder, " the sound of the 
viol" continued. No interruption of the dance took place ; for 
" they regarded not the work of the Lord, nor considered the opera- 
tions of His hands." 

The all but total absence of Schools for the population was 
another evil resulting from slavery. With the exception of a small 
School, in which a few coloured children — the offspring of the whites 
— were taught a few plain things, there was no provision for above 
twenty thousand souls within the district : hence the difficulty of ex- 
hibiting the truths of the Gospel in sufficient simplicity to be under- 
stood by untutored minds. Another source of many evils was the 
fear generated by slavery. The dread of punishment led to the sa- 
crifice of judgment and conscience : suspicion, low-cunning, fraud 
and falsehood, were the legitimate results ; yet, amidst the most 
varied and formidable moral evils, it was amazing to witness the in- 
fluence of the Gospel, which became the power of God unto salva- 
tion to many. In looking at the Society towards the close of the 
year, there was good ground for encouragement. The people not 
only travelled far to attend the services, but earnestly listened to the 
sound of the truth ; and many gave evidence that they received it in 



BATH. 



253 



the love of it. Sometimes they forded the rivers at the risk of their 
lives, rather than be absent from the house of God, when they had 
an opportunity of getting to it ; and, in the hour of death, many gave 
evidence that they died in hope of a glorious resurrection. Among 
these one may be mentioned, the circumstances of whose death were 
somewhat singular: — David Milner, a slave belonging to Wheelers- 
field estate, fell asleep in Jesus on the 1st of August. About three 
weeks before he died, he attended Bath chapel in his usual state of 
health, and partook of the sacrament of the Lord's Supper. A few 
days afterwards, he was taken ill, and believed that his sickness 
would be unto death. Deeply impressed that his ' work in this world 
was done,' he earnestly prayed that, ere he died, God would permit 
him to pay one visit more to the chapel. On the 29th of July, he 
was so far restored as to be able to travel to Bath, and attend the 
service, where he listened to a sermon on 1 Tim. iv. 8. David heard 
as a dying man, being under the full impression that he should no 
more worship with the people of God on earth ; his soul was greatly 
refreshed during the service, as he assured some of his friends. On 
leaving the chapel, he proceeded to the house of Charles Christie, his 
leader, whom he met along with many of his Christian brethren. On 
rising to speak, he looked around him, and said in a solemn 
tone, ' Dis day me hab come fo take farewell of me leader, an me 
class broders.' Then turning to his leader, he said, ' Leader, me 
tank you fo all de good advice y ou gib me ; me feel happy fo see you 
once mo, an hope hereafter fo meet you in heben, wid all me class 
broders, where we shall part no mo fo eber. Me now bid you all 
farewell, till we meet in de last day, when me Saviour shall receive we 
all to him ownself ; me shake hands wid you all, an once mo say fare- 
well.' He then shook hands with each, and went away. On his 
way home, he called at Suffolk Park Estate ; saw his friends, and 
bade them farewell. He then proceeded to his family burying place, 
where he spent sometime in serious meditation and conversation about 
those who were buried there. Next day he called his children and 
friends around him ; spoke seriously and pointedly to each about the 
salvation of their souls, and distributed to each a portion of his little 
property. Except himself, no one had any expectation that his death 
was near at hand. However, the day following, he was suddenly 
seized with sickness ; and, in twenty-four hours, entered into the 
joy of his Lord. Though a slave and uneducated, he shewed a de- 
gree of intelligence somewhat unusual. As a member of the Society, 
he was consistent, sober, and attentive to the means of grace ; and 
the manner in which he met the last enemy, shewed that he was par- 
taker of the hope, that *> when Christ shall appear, he shall appear 
together with him in glory.' 

In July, 1833, there was a pleasing instance of the recovery of a 
backslider which occurred. She was a coloured young woman, who, 
some years previously, had so far shewn a concern about her salvation, 



254 



BATH. 



that she met in a class, and promised to become a consistent member ; 
but being under the power of a vicious overseer, she was seduced 
and compelled to live with him as his concubine, or suffer from his 
cruelty. The convictions of sin she had experienced never left her. 
She felt miserable and restless to escape from her course of life ; but 
her companion would not listen to her proposal. She then made 
known the state of her mind to a white gentleman, who observed that 
his own case was similar to her's ; but when he might return to 
God, as she was about to do, he did not know. Highly approving 
of her determination, he sent a boy and two horses to enable her to 
return to her family ; after which she found her way to Bath chape], 
where she used to meet in class. She acknowledged that, from the 
time she left the means of grace, she had not known what happiness 
was. Her deportment indicated genuine repentance. The quarterly 
love-feast, which was held previous to the termination of the writer's 
appointment to this station, was one of the most delightful and spiritual 
he had witnessed ; the spirit and language of those who spoke, indicated 
the enlightening and purifying power of the Gospel. On leaving 
with his family early in January, 1833, the people gave expression 
of their sorrow at parting, in a way truly affecting. At day-break, 
many of the leaders and members came to assist in preparing us for 
our journey, sorrowing at the possibility that we should meet no 
more on earth. At this period there were eleven hundred and three 
members, of whom only fifty-three were free persons. 

Mr. Bleby succeeded the writer at this station ; but, for a consider- 
able time, he suffered severely from fever, which prevented him from 
prosecuting his missionary work as he desired. Still the congregations 
continued good ; and when the great change in the civil condition of 
the slaves took place, the chapel was found to be incapable of ad- 
mitting one-fourth of those who nocked to hear the word of God. 
The spiritual state of the members was encouraging, and their attend- 
ance on the means of grace regular. Considering the circumstances 
of the people, their state was far better than could reasonably have 
been expected. The state of Mr. Bleby's health rendered his re- 
moval necessary at the end of the year ; and Mr. Ritchie, who suc- 
ceeded him, having not only suffered in the same way, but also lost 
his wife by death, left the station early in 1836, on which Mr. S. 
Simmons was appointed. By this time the chapel was falling into 
such a state of dilapidation, as called for immediate attention. Even 
when the writer was at Bath, the roofs of both house and chapel 
were so decayed, that, during the season rains, the water poured in 
streams ; so that, in the house especially, it was necessary to place 
every available utensil to catch it, as it poured into the several apart- 
ments ; while umbrellas were employed to keep the inmates dry, even 
while in bed. This was remedied before the writer left the station, 
and Mr. S. succeeded in getting the chapel put in order ; but the 
want of one sufficiently large was felt more and more. The 



BATH. 



255 



spiritual state of the Society, as set forth in a letter by Mr. Simmons, 
was highly encouraging. He observed, — " We may be allowed to 
judge of the reality of our improvement by evidences ; and if we can 
tell you of souls going triumphantly to heaven— of our people clearly 
and distinctly assuring us of their acceptance with God — of back- 
sliders returning to the Lord — and of sinners ' inquiring the way to 
Zion with their faces thitherward,' you will rejoice and believe that 
' the Lord of Hosts is with us, the God of Jacob is our refuge.' Such 
is the state of the case. I have visited the abodes of the dying, and 
witnessed with what holy confidence they have testified that Jesus is 
the Saviour of sinners. At our love-feasts, I have heard the poor 
negroes speak of the interest they feel in the all-sufficiency of the 
atonement, till my eyes have been suffused with tears, and my heart 
melted. I have seen the contrite sinner grieved at having grieved 
his God, and beheld the prodigal return to his offended Father." 

Mr. Edney, who succeeded Mr. Simmons, had great encourage- 
ment to labour for the salvation of souls. It fell to his lot to wit- 
ness the deliverance of the people from civil bondage, which placed 
them in circumstances to keep the Sabbath holy, and attend all the 
means of grace. The conduct of the people gave him great satisfac- 
tion. On every property where fair wages had been offered, they 
fulfilled their engagements faithfully ; and it was only where injus- 
tice was indulged in by the overseers of estates, that any misunder- 
standing took place. At Rocky Point, where ground had been pur- 
chased and a station formed, a day-school was established, which 
promised to become a blessing to the people. In September, 1838, 
Mr. E. wrote — " In every department of our work in this important 
and interesting circuit, we have cheering prospects. Our preaching 
house at each place has become too small ; and the Lord is bearing 
testimony to the word of his grace. At our last quarterly meeting, 
we had a net increase of seventy-eight members, besides about 
seventy that remained on trial ; and our finances are so much im- 
proved, that all our expense will be met without any help from the 
Committee." 

A serious loss was sustained at Bath by the death of Mr. Rogers, 
who had settled as Superintendent of one of the Schools of the Mico 
Charity. This excellent man was full of pious zeal and energy, 
which led him to remove with his family from London to Jamaica, 
in order to promote the best interests of the negro. He laboured 
hard in the erection and establishment of a large day-school, and in 
aiding Mr. Edney on the Lord's Day ; but, alas ! he was cut off by 
fever, just when his efforts were producing delightful fruits, and, to 
add to this loss, Mrs. Edney died on the 26th of the following 
May. 

Mr. Rowden, who followed Mr. Edney in the circuit, succeeded in 
erecting the handsome chapel, a view of which (with the old premises 
to the right) isprefixed to this account. It is a frame building, on 



256 



BATH. 



stone pillars, with a portico, and a flight of stone steps in front. It 
measures seventy-six feet by fifty-six, and has a vestry behind six- 
teen feet square ; the materials and workmanship are superior ; the 
expense was borne by the members and friends, and amounted to 
about £2500. It is an ornament to the village ; the interior is re- 
spectable and commodious. When the writer visited it in March, 
1843, the contrast between what he witnessed, and the appearance of 
the old chapel, about a eleven years before, was striking, while the 
very few faces he could recognize, reminded him that we were all 
strangers and sojourners on earth. The whole aspect of this country 
was changed ; numerous villages were rising up, where he had been 
accustomed to see nothing besides luxuriant vegetation or fallow 
land. Mr. Atkins, along with Mr. Williams, were labouring with 
great success here, and throughout the circuit, which included 
Manchioneal and Rock Point. At Bath, there was 1500 members, 
and in the circuit, 2917, with three day, and three Sabbath schools, 
having three salaried, and eight gratuitous teachers. The day scholars 
were 412, besides those of the Sabbath schools. 

On account of the increase of preaching places throughout the 
circuit, Mr. Atkins removed from Bath to Barking Lodge, in the 
neighbourhood of Rocky Point, in order to reach them the more 
easily, there being eight places, besides three chapels, to supply with 
preaching, and nearly 3500 hearers who regularly attended the pub- 
lic services. The removal of the missionary from Bath operated 
against its prosperity, while other places were benefited by the 
change ; besides which, few of the missionaries have ever been able to 
preserve their health in Bath, on account of its extreme heat and 
moisture, which generate malaria, and produce a fever peculiar to the 
locality. In 1845, Bath and Port Morant were united. The year 
after, Port Morant stood alone, and Bath was again joined to Man- 
chioneal, with six chapels, six other preaching places, and only one 
missionary, and an assistant missionary, to supply them ! The fol- 
lowing year, the report of the state of the people of Bath was dis- 
couraging. Some of them appeared to be strangers to the Divine 
life ; yet there were others who lived in the fear of God, walked in 
the comfort of the Holy Ghost, and adorned their Christian profes- 
sion, by a walk and conversation becoming the Gospel. At Airy 
Castle, not far from Bath, a small society which had been formed was 
much injured by the influence of a revival of Obeahism, through some 
native Africans, who, along with some Hill Coolies from the East 
Indies, had been located on the estates around them, whose super- 
stition, sensuality, and moral degradation, spread like a pestilence 
wherever they were. 



257 



CHAPTER XVIII. 

MANCHIONEAL AND PORT MORANT. 

Situation and appearance of Manchioneal— Mr Bradnack begins a Mission -Messrs. 
Underbill and Home— Messrs. Jobnstone and Duncan— A Cbapel Built— Pro- 
gress— Mr. Rowden Imprisoned— Persecution of Mr. Barr— Advancement of tbe 
Station under Messrs. Gregory, Rowden, Atkins, and Williams— Port Morant— 
Origin of the Circuit— A Society Formed at Rocky Point— A Society Formed at 
Port Morant by Mr. Atkins— A Cbapel Erected— Rapid Extension of tbe Mission 
—Port Morant made tbe bead of tbe Circuit— Prosperity of tbe Societies. 

Manchioneal Bay is sixteen miles N.E. from Bath. In travel- 
ling from the latter, on the right, lies the vale of Plantain Garden 
River, with its magnificent estates, an extensive and delightful view of 
which is presented from Quahill, where the road ascends to a con- 
siderable height, overlooking both land and sea. From this, Morant 
Point, the most eastern extremity of the island, and Holland Bay, into 
which the river flows, are seen to advantage ; while the beautiful sea, 
bounded by the horizon, forms the background. After this, the road 
turns northward, having on the right hand the sea, and on the left 
the east end of the mountain chain, which stretches through the cen- 
tre of the island. The village has nothing particularly striking about 
it ; the position seen from a part of the road overlooking Muir-Town 
estate, and the river which flows through it, are the most interesting. 
The houses and stores are not numerous, nor is the population large ; 
while the harbour is small and difficult of access, being crowded with 
rocks, and open to the trade wind and current of the sea, which 
sweeps westward, and passes down the Gulf of Florida. The adjacent 
coast is exceedingly rocky, and destitute of shelter for vessels. 

Previously to the early part of 1806, when Mr. Bradnack visited 
this place, some unsuccessful attempts had been made to introduce 
the Gospel among the people, who were left entirely destitute of re- 
ligious means, no church being nearer than Port Antonio or Morant 
Bay ; the one twenty-two, and the other thirty miles distant. Mr. B. 
preached to a congregation of about fifty, who seemed to be utterly 
unconcerned about salvation, excepting six who appeared desirous of 
" fleeing from the wrath to come," and these he formed into a society, 
but without the prospect of being able to give such attention as they 
required. Persecution kept the missionaries away for several years, 
and ere any of them could reach the place, Mr. William Moodie, son 
of one of the Kingston leaders, settled there as a schoolmaster, and 

2 i 



258 



MANCHIONEAL. 



laboured for the spiritual good of the people, by reading the Church 
service, and meeting the people in a class, in which he was aided by- 
one Robert Jones, also a coloured man, but a slave, who hired him- 
self from his owner, in order to command time for doing good, and 
providing for his family. Both these were seals of Mr. Bradnack's 
ministry, and were made a great blessing to the people at the Bay. 

Early in 1819, Mr Underhill arrived, and found several anxious 
to listen to the sound of the Gospel, which had not been proclaimed 
by any missionary for many years at Manehioneal. By the end of 
April, Kendal Castle house, having been hired, was opened for public 
worship by Mr. U., after having undergone some needful repairs. 
The congregation was crowded, and very attentive, as it also was a 
week after, when Mr. Home preached twice, and met the classes, 
which gave him great satisfaction, though he remarked — "Our 
enemies hate us with a bitter hatred." The following year, Mr. Un- 
derbill's health failing, and Mr. Hartley being cut off by fever, Mr. 
Ratcliffe was enabled to visit Manehioneal, by getting assistance at 
Morant Bay from the brethren stationed in Kingston. Mr. R. bore 
pleasing testimony to the success of Mr. Underbill's labours. The 
congregations were large, and anxious to hear " words whereby they 
might be saved." This was the case not only with the slaves be- 
longing to the neighbouring estates, but also with the free people of 
colour residing at the Bay, who were much alive to the things which 
belonged to their peace. 

In 1821, Messrs. Johnstone and Duncan were encouraged by the 
increasing prosperity of the station. The house, which had been 
rented, was found far too small, so that large numbers crowded 
around it, to shelter whom an awning was put up, but still many 
continued to be exposed to the flooding rains and scorching sun, 
while listening to the glorious Gospel. To obviate this inconvenience, 
a very eligible piece of ground, on which to erect a chapel, was given 
by two of the members, Miss Agnes Grier and Miss Esther Burke ; 
and as there were no available funds to enable them to proceed with the 
building, Mr. Johnstone found a tradesman, who kindly offered to do 
the greater part of the work, and to be paid for when convenient ; on 
which the foundation-stone was laid in August, to the great joy of 
the people. However, the death of Messrs. Johnstone and Under- 
hill, and also of Robert Jones, the leader, prevented the execution of 
the work at the time expected ; still it was ready to receive the con- 
gregation by the month of March, when Mr. Shipman preached the 
first sermon to a congregation, not half of whom could get within 
the building. The collection amounted to £84 currency. 

From the view of this place of worship prefixed to this chapter, it 
will be seen that the site is elevated, and commands a view of the 
harbour, and a considerable portion of the neighbouring country, 
with the commencement of a blue mountain ridge in the background. 
Three sides of the chapel walls were of brick,, and one boarded, in 



MANCHIONEAL. 



259 



order to render an enlargement easy and economical. It measured 
forty feet square, but has been extended twenty feet backwards, 
making it forty by sixty, besides which a tower, with a bell, has been 
added to the front, which gives it a respectable appearance. It ac- 
commodates a very large congregation. Towards the end of the fol- 
lowing year, Mr. Duncan wrote — That he was more than ever im- 
pressed with the importance of the station, though he confessed that 
the erection of the chapel had placed them in financial difficulty. 
The members now amounted to 540, among whom there were several 
free young men of colour, who promised to become useful members 
of the society, as leaders, and stewards, as some of them had received 
a respectable education, and their conduct was becoming the Gospel. 
As to the estates' negroes, their habits were greatly improved. 
Thieving, which used to be very general among them, had disap- 
peared ; while their deportment in the house of God was exemplary, 
and the knowledge of Divine things possessed by some was surpris- 
ing. Even the prejudices of the planters began to give way, and 
several attended the chapel. 

A little more than a year after the chapel was opened, an effort was 
made to erect a chapel of Ease to the parish church, at Manchioneal. 
Both clergymen, Messrs. Stainsby and Trew, were men of evangeli- 
cal principles, and full of zeal for the spiritual welfare of the people. 
At the end of the year, the report of the brethren was that, at Man- 
chioneal, the chapel had already become much too small for the con- 
gregations, and the prospect of greater prosperity was most encourag- 
ing. In 1824, notwithstanding the non-residence of a missionary, 
the congregations continued very large and respectable, and the pros- 
pect was better than ever at Bath, where the missionary was located. 
However, as there was a most friendly understanding between Mr. 
Duncan and the excellent Curate of the Established Church, who by 
this time had two chapels to attend to, they arranged that when the 
one was away from Manchioneal, the other should be there, that the 
people might enjoy service every Lord's Day, by which they were 
not only instructed in the grand truths of the Gospel, but kept from 
contracting a spirit of sectarian bigotry. Yet the want of a missionary, 
where there were such congregations and so many members requiring 
attention, operated greatly against that amount of prosperity that 
would have been secured by the constant presence of a pastor on the 
spot. In 1827, a Sabbath School was established, which promised to 
do well, as both teachers and scholars were regular in their attend- 
ance. Two years after this, Manchioneal was united to Port An- 
tonio circuit, when several conversions were reported, some back- 
sliders recovered, and,, on some of the estates, prayer meetings re- 
vived, where they had been given up. 

m Early in 1832, Mr. Rowden was stationed as the resident mis- 
sionary ; but the insurrection interfered with his labours, as its in- 
fluence was so felt or feared at Manchioneal, that the magistrates 



260 



MANCHIONEAL. 



applied to the governor for a company of the regular troops, not 
deeming the local militia sufficient to preserve order in the district. 
On the arrival of the soldiers from Port Antonio, on Sabbath the 
12th of August, the magistrates, who had applied for them, discovered 
that they had not provided a lodging for the officer who commanded 
the party ; not that this essential provision had been quite forgotten : 
for, some weeks previously, the Custos of Portland, along with two 
gentlemen, called at Mr. Rowden's residence, during his absence 
from home, and having examined it outside and in, without notice or 
leave asked or offered, observed — " O, this house will do well for the 
officer !" As the officer was married, no time was lost in endeavour- 
ing to secure a proper lodging. So that, on the Monday, James 
M'William, Esq., one of the magistrates, accompanied by the officer, 
called at Mr. Rowden's residence ; and, on entering, with some trepi- 
dation, said to Mr. R. — " Sir, I am taking a great liberty in coming 
into your house ; but it has been hinted to me that this house would 
do for the officer." To which Mr. Rowden replied — "Indeed, sir, 
I have rented this house, and I have no intention to leave it." On 
which the magistrate said — " Do you not preach in the adjoining 
chapel?" He was answered in the affirmative, which led to the in- 
quiry — " Have you got a license, sir, to preach in this parish ?" Mr. 
R. replied — "At a proper time and place I will show you my au- 
thority for preaching ; but my preaching has nothing to do with the 
house." On which his worship took his leave, saying — " I will call 
on you in the course of the day." During this singular dialogue, 
the officer behaved with the good breeding characteristic of a British 
officer, and was evidently ashamed of his companion, which led Mr. 
Rowden to say, that, had he been single, he would have been happy 
to accommodate him ; but as his house consisted only of a hall, 
pantry, and one bed-room, it was out of his power. At two o'clock, 
the above-mentioned magistrate called again, bringing with him 
another magistrate, W. H. Speed, Esq., and desired Mr. R. to shew 
them his credentials, on the authority of which he exercised his 
ministry. On examining them, they pronounced them to be in- 
sufficient, as there was a law of the island which required dissenting 
ministers to take out a license in each parish before attempting to 
preach. Mr. R. observed, that he was not aware of the existence of 
any such law ; but that he was willing to take and subscribe the 
oaths, whenever called on to do so by any Justice of the Peace ; and 
from a conviction of duty, and acting according to law, he felt bound 
to proceed in the discharge of his duty. On which their worships ob- 
served, with undue warmth, that should he preach again they would 
take legal steps. On reaching the Bay, their worships declared that 
" if he did not give up the house, he should not be allowed to preach." 
Accordingly, on the Thursday following, they prepared a warrant, 
and swore in a special constable to execute it at sight; at which 
time Mr. Rowden was at Morant Bay, attending a special meeting of 



MANCHIONEAL. 



261 



the missionaries ; but, having returned the day after, he was again 
waited on by Mr. Speed, the officer, and J. N. Scott, Esq., who pro- 
posed that Mr. R. should remove to another house, and that they 
would be responsible for any difference of rent ; which proposal was 
respectfully declined by Mr. Rowden. On which Mr. Speed said — 
" This is another link to the long chain which dissenting preachers have 
been putting together to thwart the designs of the magistrates, and 
bring them into trouble. I suppose, sir, that you consider your so- 
ciety of greater importance than stationing the military here ; you 
were never invited to this place by the magistrates, and you do not 
belong to the Established Church." Mr. Rowden here interrupted 
his worship, saying, " Sir, I respect you as a magistrate ; but you 
must remember that you are in my house, and I shall not allow you 
to talk in this way here. I have heard the declaration made by one 
of your worships at the Bay the other day." His worship observed — 
" I knew that you would take hold of that ;" and as they left the 
house, he was overheard saying, " Let him preach, and he will see 
what we will do." 

Soon after they were gone, the constable appeared with his war- 
rant, and took Mr. R. before James M'William, Esq., " who ex- 
pressed regret that Mr. R. should have had the trouble to come to 
his house, as it was not intended that the warrant should be executed, 
unless Mr. R. preached !" 

A fresh warrant was issued on the 18th, by J. N. Scott, H. W. 
Speed, and J. M'William, Esqs., to be executed in the event of his 
preaching ! Thursday evening, the 23d, being the time for the regu- 
lar week evening service, Messrs. Kerr and Barr called at Bath, on 
their way to Manchioneal, to see Mr. R. After resting a while, the 
writer accompanied them, and attended the service in the evening, 
when Mr. Rowden preached; after which the constable served his 
warrant, and took him before Mr. M'William, who signed his com- 
mitment. On the following day, we returned to Bath ; and, on Sa- 
turday morning, they went forward to Morant Bay, where Mr. R. 
was shut up in jail ! As the cell in which he was confined was very 
damp, he caught a severe cold the first night, which brought on a 
violent attack of fever, which rendered it necessary that he should be 
removed to the mission house on Monday, after giving bail, himself 
£100, and Mr. Barr £50, for his appearance at the following Quarter 
Sessions. The fever assumed an alarming aspect ; little hope was 
entertained of his recovery ; but at length it so far abated as to admit 
of his being removed to Kingston. His medical attendant, Dr. Cook, 
strongly urged his removal from the West Indies. At this time, Mr. 
Barr was so ill of the fever that his life was despaired of. On the 
13th of September, the writer drove Mr. R. to Kingston, when the 
fever returned, and again threatened his life. His continued sick- 
ness kept him from appearing at the Court of Quarter Sessions ; a 
certificate to that effect having been given in. Mr. R. was informed 



262 



MANCHIONEAL. 



that, by the Attorney-General, his case was removed to the Assize 
Court, to be held in Kingston, in the month of January following, 
when he was to ^be tried for the high crime of preaching without a 
parish license, and for which he had already been imprisoned like a 
felon ! 

In 1833, Mr. Barr, who had been stationed at Morant Bay the 
year before, succeeded Mr. Rowden at Manchioneal ; but, in- 
stead of being allowed quietly to pursue his labours as a christian 
missionary, he was subjected to the treatment which so nearly proved 
fatal to his predecessor. The following account of the conduct of the 
magistrates, furnished by one of the members of the Society, who 
was present and saw and heard the whole, was inserted in one of the 
island papers : — " On Monday the 18th ult., (February), H. W. 
Speed and J. M'William, Esq. magistrates, called upon the Rev. Mr. 
Barr, Wesleyan missionary, at his own house in Manchioneal, to dis- 
pute his right to preach in this parish, although he has preached -in it 
for nearly two years, without any magistrate condescending to trou- 
ble him. 

" They stated, without any attempt to prove the correctness of 
their assertion, that he was acting illegally, and advised him to de- 
sist from preaching, till he was authorised by the magistrates of the 
parish to do so ; but said that, if he would not, they must and would 
do their duty. Mr. B. replied, that, if their advice did not interfere 
with his duty, he would gladly follow it ; but as they had said no- 
thing to convince him of the illegality and impropriety of his con- 
duct — as he knew that his preaching was calculated to do good and 
»ot harm, and no one could prove the contrary — as he had already 
taken and subscribed to the oaths of supremacy and allegiance, and 
was ready to produce authentic documents to substantiate his asser- 
tion — and as he was willing to take the oaths whenever tendered by 
any magistrate, or bench of magistrates, or at any Court of Quarter 
Sessions, and was ready to give bail for his own appearance at the 
ensuing Session, if required to do so — he would not, he could not, as 
a conscientious man, compromise his feelings, or relinquish the im- 
portant duties connected with his office, merely to meet the views, or 
gratify the prejudices of men. He further stated, that he had con- 
sulted a senior magistrate in the parish, relative to the necessity or 
propriety of his applying to a Court of Quarter Sessions, who inti- 
mated that, although it was well to submit to the magistrates as far 
as he could consistently with his duty, yet no magistrate in the 
parish could ever oppose or trouble him, and that probably his ap- 
plication might lead to an unpleasant discussion, particularly as it 
was merely a matter of opinion whether he ought to apply or 
not, &c, 

" On Tuesday, the 26th ult., Mr. Barr was summoned to appear 
before Messrs. H. W. Speed and J. M'William, to answer to the 
charge of • preaching in the Wesleyan chapel in this place, without a 



MANCHIONEAL. 



263 



license from the Quarter Sessions of the parish, and contrary to law/ 
and on the affidavit of the Constable, Mr. Blake, stood convicted of 
the charge. The magistrate then informed him that, as he had acted 
contrary to law, it was their duty to proceed against him, but wished 
to know if he was willing to enter into recognizance, in order to pre- 
vent imprisonment. 

" Mr. Barr said that he was prepared to do so ; but they said, 
4 You must give bail, not only to appear at the Quarter Sessions, but 
also to desist from preaching till then ; and no other bail can be ac- 
cepted.' Mr. Barr thought that they had no right to require bail for 
his appearance to answer a charge of an anticipated violation of law, 
supposing his preaching were proved to be illegal ; and stated that 
no friend of his would give such bail. He also said that, until his 
conduct had been proved to be illegal, he could not desist from 
duties, to the preformance of which he felt bound by the dictates of 
conscience and reason — by the precepts, injunctions, and examples of 
Scripture— and by the most recent statutes of Britain, relative to re- 
ligious toleration. The magistrates then said — ' As Mr. Barr re- 
fuses to give bail to desist from preaching in this parish, we must 
proceed to commit him to gaol.' Mr. Barr remarked that he had no 
wish to go to gaol for preaching the Gospel ; but as they seemed to 
think that that was the only means of preventing his preaching, and 
were determined thus to act, they might do as they pleased. After 
deliberating a while, they thought it best to write out, and deliver to 
the constable, in Mr. B.'s presence, the following warrant, observing, 
1 We have considered it best to adopt the most lenient measures in your 
case ; but if you preach again, you will be fined forty pounds ; and 
for the third offence, will be sent to gaol.' 

(copy of warrant.) 

' To James Blake, Constablej Manchioneal. 

' Whereas Daniel Barr, a dissenting minister, is this day convicted 
before us, Hugh William Speed and James M' William, Esqs., of 
having, on the twenty-fourth day of this present month, unlawfully 
preached to a congregation of free persons and slaves, for which 
offence we do hereby adjudge him to pay the sum of twenty pounds, 
current money : these are therefore to authorize and require you to 
receive the said sum of twenty pounds from the said Daniel Barr, 
for the use of our Lord the King. 

' Given under our hands and seals, this twenty-sixth day of 
February, one thousand eight hundred and thirty-three. 

(Signed) < H. W. Speed. 

' James M'William.' 

" Accordingly, on the Tuesday following, the Constable went to 
Mr. Barr's house to execute his warrant. He read it over to Mr. 



264 



MANCHIONEAL. 



Barr, and asked him if he intended to pay the fine, and being ans- 
wered in the negative, he said, ' Then I must levy upon your goods.' 
But he first went to Mr. M'William to know if he was to proceed, 
and did not return till the following Saturday, on which day M'Wil- 
liam called at his house to know if he had executed the warrant and 
understanding that he had not, told him to go and mark, and take Mr. 
Barr's goods to the store, and after eight days to sell them. Blake 
replied, ' There is not furniture enough in Mr. Barr's house to pay 
the fine, and Mr. Barr has gone to Port Antonio to preach, and 
taken his horse.' M'William then ordered him to go to Port Antonio, 
and take the horse from under him. The Constable, however, went 
again to Mr. Barr's house ; and although he had been previously in- 
formed that the furniture in the house was not the personal property 
of Mr. Barr, but belonged to the Society, and was in the charge of 
the Steward appointed by them, yet he marked, in the King's name, 
the tables, chairs, bedstead, mattresses, &c. &c, to the amount of 
nearly £30, according to his own valuation, though not half their 
worth. 

" Having acquainted Mr. M'William with the proceedings, and 
that Mr. Rowden's horse and chaise were on the chapel premises, 
(though not on Mr. Barr's,) he was ordered by him to take away the 
horse, having already marked the chaise, although he had already 
marked goods to the amount of nearly £10 more than the amount of 
the fine. Mr. Rowden, however, remonstrated with Mr. Blake, and 
told him that he would not allow him to take his horse, as it was not 
on Mr. Barr's premises, and he was not responsible for the payment 
of Mr. Barr's fine. The Constable, notwithstanding, had the audacity 
to persist in taking the horse, but was prevented by superior 
strength. 

" Where, or when, or in what manner the furniture will be disposed 
of, and how the infatuated magistrates and obstinate constable intend 
to proceed, we know not ; but I intend, when the matter is brought 
to a close, to acquaint the public through the medium of your useful 
paper. 

" It is quite evident, Mr. Editor, that the most desperate mea- 
sures are being adopted, and the most strenuous endeavours made, to 
defeat the objects of a benevolent public, and humane government at 
home, viz., the religious instruction and moral improvement of the 
slave population in this island ; and that, too, by men in authority, 
but evidently blinded by colonial prejudices, hardened in their 
wickedness, and utterly destitute of principle, honour, and conscience ; 
and knowingly and intentionally acting in defiance of his Majesty's 
gracious proclamation, the just and good intentions of his ministers, 
and the British parliament. Is it not high time that we should have 
a Chief Judge, who both properly understands, and will seasonably 
and fearlessly perform his duty, with a promptitude and impartiality 
that would maintain the dignity of the high office which he holds, 



MANCHIONEAL. 



265 



and which would coincide with the principles of British jurisprudence, 
and the just and acknowledged rights of British subjects ? 

" H. W. Speed and James M'William imprisoned the Rev. Mr. 
Rowden, because he disobliged them in refusing to give up his house 
to them, and would not desist from preaching in a parish in which 
he had laboured unmolested for several months ; and his imprison- 
ment nearly cost him his life. The same gentlemen imposed a fine 
of £20 on the Rev. Mr. Barr for preaching in the same parish, 
although he had preached in it for nearly two years, and never did so 
but in regularly licensed chapels ; and, on the false pretence of 
levying for the payment of a penalty of £20, endeavoured to take 
away goods, &c, to the amount of at least £30. 

"And now, only let an observing and impartial public, whose 
minds are unbiased, whose views and principles are uninfluenced 
and uncorrupted by the evil example of the majority of the i au- 
thorities' of this colony, and who are acquainted with the ' indisput- 
able rights of British subjects' in any part of his Majesty's dominions, 
connect the circumstances and proceedings which mark the conduct 
of the above-named magistrates, and then ask, Is it possible that 
such conduct can pass unnoticed and unpunished? Reason and jus- 
tice reply, No ; the justly excited feelings of injured thousands re- 
peat, No ; the united energies and unanimous voices of a liberally 
constituted, a liberal -minded Parliament, re-echo, No ; and the retri- 
butive justice and interposing Providence of heaven resound, No ; 
for ' who hath hardened himself against God and hath prospered.' " 

The furniture thus taken away was sold by public auction. Mr. 
Barr memorialized the Governor, the Earl of Mulgrave, on this offi- 
cial persecution, who, after a full investigation of the proceedings, 
dismissed the above-named magistrates from their office. But what 
became of the money realised by the sale, the writer has never been 
able to find out. Thus was a missionary, with his wife and family, 
left without an article of furniture, in a house which, at the best, was 
but a poor affair. 

When the missionaries were thus treated, what could their people 
look for, especially the poor slaves, who were at the mercy of the 
persecutors ? No wonder that, for a considerable time, the means of 
grace were but thinly attended. Towards the end of the year, Mr. 
Rowden's health was again in such a state as rendered it absolutely 
necessary for him to leave the island, and take a sea voyage. For 
a while he sojourned in the United States of America. As his re- 
moval left Port Antonio without a missionary, Mr. Barr removed 
thither, and Manchioneal was left to be supplied by the writer, who 
was residing at Bath at the time. 

As the power of the Colonial Unionists died away, under the vigor- 
ous measures of the Governor, the Society gradually recovered its 
former state. Mr. Bleby observed, that though in the early part of 

2 k 



266 



MANCHIONEAL. 



the year, it was in a very low condition, the congregations improved 
in the course of the year ; and the members of the society shewed in- 
creasing attention to the means of grace. He also mentioned the 
temporal difficulties they had to grapple with from poverty, arising 
from the want of a market for the sale of their surplus ground provi- 
sions, which used to be purchased, and taken by boats to Kingston. 
These having ceased to visit Manchioneal, the people were placed in 
worse circumstances than they ever had been. 

In 1836, this station was again favoured with a resident missionary, 
Mr. Gregory being appointed to it, the society prospered under his care. 
During this and the following year, Bath and Manchioneal were 
united, and Rocky Point added to them, in order to meet the spiritual 
destitution of the people in that locality. Towards the end of 1 837, 
the fever prevailed in the neighbourhood to a lamentable extent. 
The writer having engaged to assist at the annual missionary meet- 
ing, took with him his wife and two children, for a change of air. 
With difficulty he spoke for a short time at the meeting, as he was seized 
with fever ; then his wife and the children ; after which the magistrate 
who occupied the chair at the meeting ; then Mr. Edney, who also ad- 
dressed the meeting, were successively taken ill. For about three weeks 
we were unable to return to Port Antonio, and even then it was with 
extreme difficulty, one of the children being seized with convulsions 
on the road, and the writer again seized with fever, when within five 
miles of home. Prompt medical help, under Divine providence, 
saved both lives. From this time to the close of the year, the mor- 
tality was very great among both the white and coloured inhabitants. 
Mrs. Atkins was cut off at Morant Bay. Mr. Gregory was called upon 
to bury members of both Established and Baptist churches, while 
their ministers were laid aside with the fever. As the people were 
released from slavery the year following, the chapels throughout the 
circuit were found to be far too small for the crowds who attended 
them. 

The labours of Messrs. Atkins and Davis were greatly blessed, 
both at Manchioneal and the other places in the circuit, during 1841 
and 1842. The members increased to above seven hundred, many 
of whom gave encouragement to the missionaries, by their consistent 
walk and conversation. Mr. A. succeeded in getting the chapel en- 
larged and improved. "When the writer paid his last visit to Man- 
chioneal, towards the end of March, 1843, he was affectionately re- 
ceived by Mr. Williams and his excellent wife, with whom he spent 
a few hours ; after which, accompanied by Mr. W., he pursued his 
journey to Port Antonio. The improved aspect of the chapel, and 
general state of the people, were highly interesting, as he called to 
mind the low state of this station ten years before, when he used to 
visit it from Bath. 



267 



PORT MORANT. 

From the accounts given of the stations at Morant Bay, Bath, and 
Manchioneal, it will be seen that no adequate provision had been 
made to meet the spiritual wants of thousands in the S.E. part of 
the island. Between Morant Bay and Manchioneal numerous es- 
tates, thickly peopled, were too far from these stations to feel their 
influence. Hence a wide field of usefulness offered itself all along the 
shore from Morant Bay eastward, into which the missionaries wished 
to enter, but found themselves too few in number, and the work of ex- 
isting stations too onerous, to allow them to do anything effectual till 
within a comparatively recent date, when Mr. Atkins and his fellow- 
labourers succeeded in forming a new circuit, named Port Morant, in 
1846. 

The earliest attempt to carry the light of the Gospel into the dis- 
trict comprehended in this circuit, was made by Mr. Orton in 1829, 
when he visited Rocky Point, and formed a Society of 160 mem- 
bers, most of whom belonged to the Bath society, but through old 
age or infirmity were unable to travel so far. An agreement was 
made for a piece of ground on which to erect a chapel ; but when the 
title was examined, it was found to be invalid. So the preaching 
was continued in the house of one of the friends ; but the removal of 
Mr. Orton, and the sickness and death of Mr. Penman, which were fol- 
lowed by the insurrection at the close of 1831, prevented any fur- 
ther effort, till Mr. Simmons, in 1836, made a new attempt. He 
observed that about £20 had been contributed by the people towards 
the purchase of land, and the erection of a chapel, at Rocky Point ; 
and as soon as sufficient funds should be raised, the design would be 
carried out. At this period there were nearly five hundred of the 
Bath members residing in the neighbourhood of Rocky Point, who 
had to encounter not only the weather, but bad roads and rivers 
which, during the rainy seasons, were exceedingly dangerous to 
ford. 

The following year, Mr. Simmons was succeeded by Mr. Edney, 
who erected the proposed chapel at Rocky Point, and commenced the 
erection of a day-school. While Mr. E. and his fellow-labourer, Mr. 
Gregory, were working in that direction from Bath and Manchioneal, 
Mr. Atkins, who was stationed at Morant Bay, was extending his 
efforts eastward, to meet the thousands in the neighbourhood of Port 
Morant, who were several miles distant from either of these stations, 
though a goodly number were members of the society at Morant Bay. 
Early in 1838, Mr. Atkins formed a society at Port Morant, though 
the only place he had to shelter himself and the people during the 
public service, was a shed on the sea-beach, where from eight to ten 
hundred congregated to listen to the Gospel ; but the proprietor of 
this humble covering, after a while, refused to allow the people to 



268 



PORT MORANT. 



meet under it, unless they would pay an exorbitant rent, which they 
could not comply with, so that they were shut out without having any 
other place to go to. Up to this period, the houses at Port Morant 
had been very few, and the population in the immediate locality thin, 
as it was regarded as nothing more than a convenient port for ship- 
ping the produce of the estates ; but Alexander Barclay, Esq., hav- 
ing projected a township, several lots of land were purchased by the 
emancipated slaves and others, and the town began to rise, which led 
Mr. Atkins to purchase a site for a chapel. When the people were 
thus driven into the open air, they speedily put up a temporary 
chapel, with posts, bamboos, cocoa-nut leaves, and an old sail, which 
served them till they could be better accommodated. 

Early in 1839, Mr. Whitehead was sent to assist Mr. Atkins in 
his important field of labour, which might have given full employ- 
ment to double the number of missionaries. Arrangements having 
been made, the foundation-stone of the chapel was laid on the 29th 
of March, by Mr. Barclay, who was member of Assembly for the pa- 
rish, and founder of the new town. On the 7th of July following, 
it was finished, when the opening services were conducted by the 
Rev. Edward Fraser ; but it was soon found to be too small for 
the congregation, though it was forty-eight feet by twenty-six. The 
lithograph view of the building, accompanying this account, shews 
that it is elevated, and overlooks the harbour. The financial exer- 
tions of the people did them great credit. The trustees engaged to 
pay off, within four years, the debt which.was left on the premises, 
amounting to £801. 

While great spiritual destitution and moral degradation marked the 
condition of the people around, the state of the society continued to 
improve. In April, 1840, Mr. Whitehead wrote thus — " The pre- 
sent state of this society is encouraging ; we have five hundred and 
six members, and seventeen leaders. It requires all the attention 
that can be bestowed upon it, being but a newly formed society ; yet, 
I think, it comes under the designation adopted by the venerable 
founder of Methodism — 6 a company of men having the form, and seek- 
ing the power of godliness, united in order to pray together, to re- 
ceive the word of exhortation, and to watch over each other in love, 
that they may help each other to work out their salvation.' " 

Meanwhile, the day-school at Rocky Point was built, and put into 
successful operation under Mr. Cullen, the master, who soon had one 
hundred and thirty scholars under his care ; while his presence and 
exertions in the neighbourhood, had a most favourable influence over 
many of the people. Still the want of a resident missionary was 
long felt to be a great hindrance to the spiritual prosperity of the 
society, though the congregations continued large, and the members 
of the society increased in number. In 1841, they amounted to 
six hundred and seventy ; while at Port Morant there was an in- 
crease, and the leaders and members were going on in great peace 
and harmony. 



PORT MORANT. 



269 



In 1843, the mission was considerably enlarged. Some new 
places were visited, and the prospects were highly encouraging to 
the brethren ; and about the middle of the following year, the work 
of chapel-building and enlarging engaged their attention. In May, 
Mr. Atkins wrote as follows — "We are, I am happy to report, mak- 
ing progress in our circuit. On Good- Friday we laid the foundation 
of a new chapel at Airy Castle, This place is situated about half- 
way between Bath and Port Morant, and it is a township of consider- 
able extent, and continues rapidly to increase. We have secured 
two acres of the best land in the most centrical situation ; and as* it 
is thickly covered with cocoa-nut trees, we shall have an abundant 
supply of oil for our evening services there. We have upwards of 
a hundred members living close round the chapel ; but they will 
continue to meet in class for the present at Bath or Port Morant, as 
we are not anxious to form the society until the chapel is finished. 
At Dalvey our new chapel, fifty feet by thirty, with a vestry seven- 
teen feet square, was opened for divine service on Good-Friday, and, 
on Easter Sunday, the society was formed, which continues rapidly to 
increase. Every Lord's day the chapel and vestry are crowded to 
excess, and yet there are scores standing outside. This place is one 
of considerable importance, and will of itself very soon support a 
missionary. The society has been composed chiefly by a division of 
the Rocky Point society. Sixty or eighty, belonging to Bath, and 
from one to two hundred, have been reclaimed from the world 
and sin. It now consists of about five hundred members ; and if 
we had but the means to set about an immediate enlargement of the 
chapel, it would, there is no doubt, greatly increase, as many are 
kept away from want of room. As to the society of our old members, 
I hope it is becoming more and more scriptural and solid. Our 
attendances on sacramental occasions are more numerous than they 
have been, which I regard as a good sign." 

At this period, Bath and Port Morant were formed into a circuit, 
embracing thirteen preaching places, including five chapels, and 
nearly two thousand five hundred members, with two missionaries, 
and an assistant; and, in 1846, Port Morant appeared alone, as a 
distinct circuit, and Mr. Atkins as the resident missionary, having 
the societies at Port Morant, Rocky Point, and Dalvey, under his 
care. At the close of the year, he reported that, at Port Morant, the 
society had been preserved in peace, and that the congregation had 
greatly improved in the course of the year ; so much so that mem- 
bers were kept away from want of room in the chapel, which ren- 
dered a large addition to the chapel absolutely necessary ; while the 
applicants for pews were so numerous, that it was feared it would be 
impossible to meet the demand. It was observed that, although the 
people were comparatively poor, and were called to suffer many trials, 
and that too of a peculiar kind, yet they mostly continued to keep up 
their usual contributions towards the support of the Gospel. At 



270 



PORT MORANT. 



Rocky Point the people continued to grow in grace. During the 
year, there had been many " times of refreshing from the presence of 
the Lord ;" and the people generally seemed more concerned for the 
full salvation of the Gospel. One of the oldest and best of the 
leaders had been struck with palsy while in the chapel, and some 
others had finished their course with joy. Others were raised up to 
take their place, and many young persons were inquiring what they 
must do to be saved. The fidelity and stability of the members at 
Dalvey afforded great encouragement. There had been a gradual 
advancement in the number of members, and in willingness to meet 
the expense of having the means of grace amongst them. The in- 
fluence of the mission in the neighbourhood was becoming more ex- 
tensive and beneficial. There were three chapels and four other 
preaching places, three day-school teachers, fourteen hundred and 
fourteen members, two Sabbath and three day-schools. 

The following extract of a letter from Mr. Atkins shews the state 
of the people in this circuit in the early part of last year : — " During 
the year we have been visited with an unusual quantity of rain. 
The May seasons were so extraordinary as to produce frightful 
havoc in different parts of the island. This parish, perhaps, sus- 
tained the greatest injury ; and the damage was estimated at several 
thousand pounds. Many of the members of our society fell in for 
their share ; indeed, few families in the vicinity of this circuit es- 
caped. Some had their houses, and others their provision-grounds, 
swept away ; so that they were obliged to seek shelter amongst 
their more fortunate neighbours. In the latter part of the year, fever 
and ague were awfully prevalent ; and the result of all this is, that 
the labouring- classes find themselves reduced to a state of poverty, 
altogether unlooked-for and unexpected. 

" Our societies have suffered numerically from the removal of a 
large body of Africans, belonging to the West India corps, who had 
been residing in this locality, and were steady members of our so- 
ciety for the last three years. One hundred and seventy-three of 
our members are found on the list of removals and deaths, &c. ; yet 
we are happily able to report only a deficiency of nine in the num- 
ber of last year, and that is more than made up by the number on 
trial for church- membership. 

" Our chapels continue to be well-filled on the Sabbath-day with 
attentive hearers ; and the great Head of the church vouchsafes to us 
many tokens for good. We have seen among the young people a 
desire to flee from the wrath to come ; and many who for years have 
been living in concubinage have been persuaded to get married, and 
are now steady and consistent members of our society." 



271 



CHAPTER XIX. 

PORT ANTONIO AND MOUNT FLETCHER. 

Description of Port Antonio— Captain Reece and Mr. Thaxter— Mr. Kerr forms a 
Society— Death of Mr. Ratoliffe— Mr. Edney— Death of Mr. Vowles— Mr. Green- 
wood erects a Chapel at Hope Bay— Persecution— Mr. Rowden— Mr. Crookes— 
Mr. Samuel— Success among Soldiers— Emigrants— Happy Deaths— Mr. Williams 
builds a Chapel— Death of Mr. and Mrs. Davies— Mount Fletcher— Situation— Mr. 
Harding erects a Chapel— Mr. Hornabrook. 

Port Antonio is situated in the parish of Portland, and about eighty- 
two miles from Kingston. The parish is small, and one of the 
poorest in the island, from the comparatively limited portion of land 
it contains capable of being put under cultivation. It contained only 
about seven hundred and fifty slaves previously to the abolition of 
slavery, and between sixty-four and sixty-five thousand acres of 
land. The principal properties were Prospect, Sion Hill, Bog, Nor- 
wich, Shrewsbury, Snow Hill, Spring Garden, Seaman's Valley, 
Whydah, Hermitage, Red Hassell, Anchovy Valley, Boston, Cold 
Harbour, Hope, Golden Vale, Mount Pleasant, Castle Comfort, Fair- 
field, Fairy Hill, Burlington, Unity Valley, and William sfield. It is 
bounded on the north by the sea ; on the south, by the loftiest ridges 
of the Blue Mountains ; on the east, by the parish of St. Thomas in 
the East ; and on the west, by the parish of St. George. The ge- 
neral aspect of the scenery is interesting and grand. Mr. Arnold, a 
medical gentleman, who resided many years in the parish, describes 
it thus — " In a picturesque point of view, no country on earth can 
surpass this little parish. Rock, wood, and water, the finest cultiva- 
tion, and the most bewildering solitudes, smiling valleys, and moun- 
tains really awful, present themselves in one grand, variegated, and 
yet harmonious mass. The highest peak of the Blue Mountains 
is eight thousand feet above the sea ; its outline is no less elegant than 
conspicuous ; and, though cut by nature into ridges, precipices, im- 
mense hollows, and ravines, this mighty chaos is yet crowned with 
everlasting verdure, and is a forest nearly to its summit. If there 
be any deficiency in the component parts of the landscape, it is in 
the article of water, so far as the eye can desire it at least. The 
gigantic proportions of the mountains, and even the minor hills, take 
all dignity from most of the rivers, not one of which is at all na- 
vigable, in spite of the deluges of water which at times they dis- 
charge. The size and luxuriance also of the foliage screen a great 
many of the rivulets from observation, and, in not a few instances, 



272 



PORT ANTONIO. 



the temporary rivulets disappear for miles, and spring out again on 
reaching the sea-shore." 

The soil is generally vegetable mould, mixed with some clay, 
reposing upon porous lime and chalk-stone. The first interspersed 
with fissures, the latter soft and more compact, and fit for building 
purposes. Along the coast, honey-comb rock abounds, on which it 
is dangerous to walk, as it is so pointed and sharp that it cuts through 
one's shoes like broken glass. The shore abounds with creeks, 
bays, and harbours ; but Port Antonio is the chief one, or rather 
there are two, called the east and west harbour. The former is well 
defended, from north winds, by Navy Island, which contains about 
eighty acres of land. 

The town of Port Antonio is in a very unhealthy situation, owing 
to the miasma which is perpetually generated in the morass around 
it. During the prevalence of westerly winds, towards the fall of the 
year, sickness becomes general. Most of the houses are but ill-cal- 
culated to defend the health of the inhabitants, on account of the 
impossibility of draining off the stagnant waters everywhere about 
them. However, there is a small elevated peninsula, called Upper 
Titchfield, between the harbours, at the north point of which the Fort 
and Barracks are erected, which is considered a healthy spot, as it is 
fully open to the sea breeze, and above the level of the malaria which 
poisons the air of the lower part of the town. 

The officers' barracks run northward, and overlook the east har- 
bour, with a verandah, both back and front ; but the rooms are low, 
and by no means comfortable, especially for such a climate. The 
barracks for the men are about equal to any in the island, and the 
hospital is an excellent building. The former cost £9000, and the 
latter, £6000. 

The Fort occupies the point, and commands the channel, to both 
harbours. The houses in Titchfield are few in number, and no one 
has any resemblance to another, either in size or form ; and although 
there are streets laid out at right angles, they are overgrown with 
weeds and grass, and afford pasture for goats, horses, and donkeys ; 
while hogs are allowed to range about at their pleasure. From the 
highest part of this locality, the appearance of the mountain scenery 
is as sublime as can be witnessed from any spot in the island. Often 
has the writer gazed with interest from his residence on a magnificent 
waterfall, near the summit of Blue Mountains, which appeared only 
when there was an unusual fall of rain on the ridge, where it rains 
during the greater part of the year, few days being without a 
shower. 

In the vicinity of the town, there is a cavern of considerable mag- 
nitude, on the steep side of a chalk-stone hill, about a hundred feet 
above the level of the sea. As the path leading to it was overgrown 
with bushes, which required to be cut away, as the writer and his 
guide endeavoured to reach it, it may be conjectured that its 



PORT ANTONIO. 



273 



silence is not very frequently disturbed by visitors. On entering, by 
a fissure, and descending a short flight of steps, the visitor finds him- 
self in a sort of vestibule, the roof of which is ornamented with a 
variety of stalactites ; while the floor feels soft and elastic to the 
foot, as if treading on a thick bed of moss. This is occasioned by 
the floor being covered with bats' dung, several feet in depth. This 
apartment is partially lighted from the door-way ; but on leaving 
this it is necessary to have a torch to proceed inwards, where there 
are several apartments of various sizes, curiously furnished, and 
adorned by manifold formations of the calcareous water, which is 
perpetually dropping from the roofs, and which look as if richly car- 
ved after the manner of Gothic architecture ; while the stalagmites, 
which cover the floors, look like so many pillars, fonts, couches, and 
fancy articles of furniture, all of which sparkle with imposing lustre, 
as the explorer turns his torch in various directions. While he is 
prying, the poor bats keep actively on the wing, flying from one 
room to another, till their unwelcome visitors again leave them in 
possession of their dark, silent solitude. 

The earliest efforts to introduce the light of the Gospel into this 
benighted part of the island, was made by sailors or soldiers, mem- 
bers of the Methodist Society, who were brought to Port Antonio by 
their professional engagements. Maintaining their christian cha- 
racter in the midst of the pollutions of heathenism, they used to dis- 
tribute tracts, hold meetings for prayer, and do what they could to 
bring sinners to the Redeemer. Among these worthy men, Captain 
Reece, from the United States of America, was one of the most use- 
ful. While he was in port, he fearlessly preached Christ crucified, 
and laboured to do good to souls. He at length settled in the island, 
and carried on a coasting trade between Kingston and Port Antonio. 
About the year 1818, a Mr. William Thaxter, who resided at Port 
Antonio, hearing of the handful of pious souls, who met at Man- 
chioneal, to take sweet counsel together, united himself with them ; 
and early in the following year, with them he enjoyed the ministry of 
Messrs. Home and Underhill, who visited Manchioneal from Morant 
Bay ; but having to travel about twenty-two miles, Mr. T. was fre- 
quently prevented going thither ; but to make the most of his cir- 
cumstances, he welcomed such as were disposed to his house to join 
him in worshipping God, among whom he frequently numbered 
several devout soldiers and seamen ; and, though no mission- 
ary had yet visited them, those who regularly met considered 
themselves as members of the Methodist Society. To meet the case 
of poor neglected children, Mr. T. opened a Sabbath School, and 
taught as many as came to him. In 1819, he got Messrs. Home 
and Underhill to visit Port Antonio, in order to recognize this little 
company, and to take them under their pastoral care ; but on apply- 
ing to the magistrates for liberty to preach and form a society, they 
were refused and forbidden " to speak to the people that they might 



274 



PORT ANTONIO. 



be saved." This magisterial hostility continued for eight years, dur- 
ing which the little flock was deprived of the assistance of a mis- 
sionary. At length, Mr. Thaxter died ; and Mr. William Moodie, 
an excellent coloured young man, who had been his helper, removed 
to Manchioneal. However, on the 14th of August, 1826, Mr. Kerr, 
who was then stationed at Bath, accompanied by Mr. Moodie, and 
another of the brethren belonging to the Manchioneal society, visited 
Port Antonio. He called on Peter Anderson, Esq., one of the 
magistrates, and another gentleman, to whom he made known his in- 
tention of opening a mission. He was encouraged by the reception 
they gave him. In the evening, he lodged at the house of Mr. 
Thomas Brown, a coloured person, of excellent character, who had 
often heard Mr. Harnett, and other missionaries, preach, when he 
visited Kingston. As Mr. Kerr was advised not to attempt to 
preach till he was duly licensed, he read and expounded the rules 
of the Methodist Society to a goodly company. A fortnight after 
this visit, he returned, and found the people hungering and thirsting 
for the Word of life ; and without the formalities of preaching, he 
quoted part of the service book of the Church of England, and, in a 
colloquial way, called their attention to the fundamental doctrines of 
the Gospel. At the Quarter Sessions he succeeded in obtaining a 
license. He then hired Mr. Brown's house, fitted it up for the re- 
ception of a congregation, and commenced evening preaching. It 
was not only crowded, but numbers thronged the steps, and outside 
wherever they could hear the voice of the preacher. By the close of 
the year, thirty -five were united as a society. 

The station having been thus taken up, the chairman of the dis- 
trict, Mr. RatclifFe, who had had so narrow an escape with his family 
at St. Ann's Bay, was appointed, early in 1827, as the first resi- 
dent missionary. For several years Mr. R. had felt deeply anxious for 
the people in this part of the island, and had written to one of the 
leading magistrates to inform him of the wish of the Committee to ap- 
point a missionary to the parish of Portland ; but the other magis- 
trates, as we have seen, were determined not to allow a missionary to 
settle within their bounds. However, a happy change had taken 
place ; and he found favour in the sight of the magistrates and inha- 
bitants generally, who were won by his christian spirit and consistent 
conduct as a minister of religion. By the month of May, he not only 
had a Society of ninety members under his care at Port Antonio, but 
one also begun at Hope Bay, ten miles westward, in the parish of St. 
George, whither he had been invited by Mr. Brown above-mentioned, 
who, with his family, lived there. He took down the names of seven 
persons as candidates for church-membership, and confided them to 
the care of Mr. Brown as their leader. 

Mr. RatclifFe felt the importance of getting a chapel built as early 
as possible ; and, in order to secure this important object, he com- 
menced soliciting subscriptions. Everything seemed to promise fair 



PORT ANTONIO. 



275 



for the success of the mission ; but, alas ! in the month of August, 
Mr. R. was seized with fever, which terminated fatally on the 16th. 
The Rev. G. Griffiths, who was acting as Curate to the Rector, Mr. 
Bunting, was with him when he died, and furnished an account of 
the death-bed scene of this devoted and successful missionary. When 
Mrs. Ratcliffe saw that the fever was assuming an alarming aspect, 
she sent for him. He wrote — " After I arrived at his house, he 
called Mrs. Ratcliffe from the other room, and requested me to en- 
gage in prayer without delay, as his sand was descending fast, which 
being complied with, he appeared more composed and easy. I re- 
mained in his room a considerable time alone, with the exception of 
a female servant. He gave the most comfortable and animating 
account of the state of his mind ; he exhibited a noble example of the 
infinite value of the Gospel, of the solid peace, the firm hope, the joy 
unspeakable and full of glory, which it inspires. I asked him if there 
was anything I could do for him. His answer was, ' That having 
already made such arrangements of his temporal and spiritual affairs, 
he had nothing to do but to wait patiently the hour of his departure.' 
About half-past seven, a number of persons coming in, we retired into 
the hall, to lay his case before the Physician of Gilead. I believe 
our petition to the throne of grace was signed with the hearty amen of 
every individual present. His memory and sight now began to fail 
him together ; yet the Lord was evidently supporting and consoling 
his servant with abundant vouchsafements of Divine grace. Never 
before did I witness such composure, resignation, fortitude, and 
heavenly-mindedness, as were manifested during the burning rage of 
the fever, which terminated in the death of this man of God. He 
declared that the light affliction he was then enduring, was working 
out for him a far more exceeding and eternal weight of glory, and 
that death had lost its sting. He exhorted all the by-standers to be 
also ready, and maintained, in the agonies of death, the truth of the 
Gospel which he had faithfully propagated in his life. When he 
felt the King of terrors rapidly undermining his tenement of clay, he 
exclaimed with uncommon energy, ' That death had laid hold on the 
vitals, life was drawing to a close, the world receding, and eternity 
bursting on his view :' ' but,' continued he, ' I feel under me a 
glorious foundation ; not anything that I have done, all boasting on 
my part is for ever excluded in shame : O the blood, the blood, of 
his Son Jesus Christ, it clean seth from all iniquity !' He was now 
sinking fast ; but recovering a little, he broke out once more as in a 
foretaste of the world to come, and exclaimed, with growing confi- 
dence of soul, 1 I know that my Redeemer liveth.' It was now 
twelve o'clock, and he spoke no more ; but making signs for me to 
come near, he laid hold of my hand and pressed it very cordially, 
which he never loosened but with life itself; and at two o'clock, a.m., 
August the 16th, 1827, he fell asleep in Jesus, in full possession of 
the peace of God which passeth all understanding. His countenance 



276 



PORT ANTONIO. 



even after death had a most heavenly appearance." No invitation 
was sent to any one to accompany his remains to the grave ; yet 
such was the influence his conduct had given him over the public 
mind, that a larger number attended his funeral than had ever been 
witnessed in the parish on similar occasions. Magistrates, merchants, 
planters, and others, joined the humble flock of which he had been 
the pastor, in expressing their sense of his worth as a Christian 
minister. Thus ended eleven years' useful toil of a missionary, 
whose talents, deep and exemplary piety, united with attractive man- 
ners, gave him favour in the sight of even his enemies, and tended 
greatly to advance the mission in several parts of the island. 

The year after the death of Mr. Ratcliffe, Mr. Edney was appointed 
to the circuit ; but from want of missionaries Manchioneal was united 
to Port Antonio, which, however, did not prevent him extending his 
labours as far westward as BufF Bay, which is twenty miles from 
Port Antonio. Here he found the people willing to hear the Gospel, 
and about sixteen were formed into a society. The population 
around was large, and in a state of great spiritual destitution. The 
number of free persons in the circuit who joined the society was con- 
siderable. The congregation at Port Antonio continued large. The 
members " walked in the feai of the Lord, and in the comfort of the 
Holy Ghost." At Hope Bay, a spiritual work of God was going on 
among the people who joined the society, while their numbers con- 
tinued to increase, which made them anxious to have a chapel as 
early as possible, as the place where they assembled was too small. 

In 1829, an attempt was made to establish a week-night service 
at St. Margaret's Bay, where the people were in a state of great dark- 
ness. Sabbath Schools also were established at Port Antonio, Hope 
Bay, and St. Margaret's Bay, in which there were above one hundred 
and seventy children, who were taught the simple elements of the 
Gospel. Some of the teachers were devoted to their work, others 
rather negligent. 

While Mr. Edney was thus pursuing his course of missionary la- 
bour, his wife was taken from him by death, and his own health suf- 
fered severely, which rendered it necessary that he should be re- 
moved to another station. 

On the removal of Mr. Edney, Mr. Vowles took his place, and 
laboured with great zeal to promote not only the spiritual interests of 
the people, but also the erection of the wished-for chapel at Port 
Antonio, till the month of August, when he was seized with fever, 
which, in seven days, numbered him with the dead. His death 
happened on the 16th, the same day on which his predecessor, Mr. 
RatclifFe, had died, three years before him. He was in the twenty- 
fourth year* of his age. It had been his happiness to have pious 
parents, whose instructions, examples, and prayers were answered by 
his conversion to God when he was fifteen years old. His talents 
were respectable, his disposition amiable, and the prospect of his be- 



PORT ANTONIO. 



277 



coming a very useful missionary satisfactory to his brethren and 
the people. 

After the death of Mr. Vowles, Mr. Greenwood was appointed to 
the circuit, at which time, a piece of land having been given at Hope 
Bay by Mr. Harrison, and the contributions of the people augmented 
by a grant of the Committee, a chapel was erected, measuring fifty 
feet by twenty -five ; about ten feet was cut off by a partition behind 
the pulpit, and formed into two apartments for the missionary's ac- 
commodation. It was a very slight frame building, raised about 
four feet on a stone foundation. It was opened for public worship on 
Christmas-day, 1838, just as the insurrection broke out, and being 
in a convenient situation, it was taken possession of, and used as a 
barracks by the military, during that alarming period. 

The Colonial Unionists laid a plot to burn it down ; but the 
vigilance of the friends of the mission defeated their vile purpose. 
During martial law the enemies of religion made several attempts to 
injure the mission. The poor negroes, who were put to death by 
courts martial in the market place, were buried in the sand under the 
chapel windows at Port Antonio, in order to annoy the congregation ; 
and the magistrates put a large padlock on the chapel door, locked it 
up, and took away the key, to save it from being pulled down 
by the Unionists, as they said ! The opposition became so strong 
that the labours of Messrs. Greenwood and Rowden were interrupted 
for some time. However, when his Majesty's pleasure, with regard 
to the proceedings of the Colonial Unionists, was proclaimed by the 
Governor, the tide of opposition gradually subsided. Mr. Thomas 
M'Morine, a respectable person of colour, assisted in wrenching off 
the padlock, and opening the door of the chapel for the admission of 
the people, who longed to enjoy the public services of religion. Con- 
scious of having acted illegally, those who put it on quietly allowed 
the missionary to go on as usual ; nor did any one put in a claim for 
the padlock ! The services were further interrupted by the sickness 
of the resident missionary. The piety of most of the members was 
improved by the things they were called to suffer. At Hope Bay 
the Society was kept in peace, though much deprived of the presence 
of the missionary. The leaders were deeply pious, and the good 
work continued to advance. Though the little society at Buff Bay 
could be visited only once a month, and had no proper place in which 
to meet for holding public service, the members walked worthy of 
their profession. 

In 1833, Mr. Rowden's health, which had been greatly injured 
by the fever he caught at Morant Bay jail, the year before, became so 
bad that he was compelled to leave the island for change of climate ; 
on which Mr. Barr removed to Port Antonio, for the remainder of 
the year ; while his place at Manchioneal was partially supplied by 
the writer, who resided at Bath, as has been noticed in the account 
of the former station. The two following years, Mr. Crookes laboured 



278 



PORT ANTONIO. 



in the circuit with much acceptance and success. His labours were 
blessed not only to the people resident at the several stations, but 
also to the soldiers stationed at Fort-George; some of whom were 
converted from the error of their ways through his ministry. At the 
close of 1834, when the civil change in the circumstances of the 
slave population began to take effect, he wrote — "At Port Antonio, 
God has blessed the ministry of the word, and the other ordinances, 
to the instruction and edification of his children, and to the conver- 
sion of sinners. A few backsliders have been restored to the church, 
and, we trust, to the Divine favour also. Several members and one 
leader have died in peace, and now enjoy the rest for which we la- 
bour. The congregations, which are serious and attentive, have im- 
proved since the memorable first of August. In the course of the 
year, we have admitted forty -five new members ; and, after deduct- 
ing the expulsions and deaths, we have a net increase of thirty mem- 
bers, making the total one hundred and fifty-one." With regard to 
Hope Bay, he observed — " We have here an interesting and promis- 
ing people, most of whom have passed from death into life, and adorn 
the doctrine of God our Saviour. The leaders are united and zeal- 
ously devoted to their important work. A few persons have been 
expelled ; but more have been admitted. The congregations are 
good and attentive, and the blessing of God crowns his ordinances. 
Since the first of August, our prospects have become more cheering ; 
and we look forward to days of glorious prosperity." The members 
amounted to one hundred and forty-three. Such was the state and 
prospects of the mission when the writer was appointed to it early 
in 1836. 

The want of a chapel became more apparent every day, as the dis- 
position of the people to flock to places of worship increased with 
the prospect of their being placed in circumstances favourable to Sab- 
bath sanctification. At Port Antonio, the house in which the ser- 
vices were held was badly situated, small, and as shabby as any 
building in the town, while sixty pounds was annually paid for rent ; 
yet it was always crowded with attentive hearers. Throughout the 
circuit the congregations continued large all the year ; and the Word 
was made the power of God into salvation to many, some of whom 
were soldiers of the sixty-fourth regiment. The zeal and exemplary 
conduct of these men produced a happy effect on their comrades, in 
restraining them from excesses so common among military men in 
the West Indies. The writer had the pleasure of recommending 
some of them as suitable persons to be trained as teachers for the 
Schools of the Mico Charity. Their removal was felt by our people, 
as they had been useful in the Sabbath School, under the superinten- 
dence of Mr. Moody, as well as in the prayer-meetings, where their 
fervent addresses to the throne of grace were owned by the Hearer of 
prayer, in kindling the flame of devotion among the people. They 
had besides a prayer-meeting in the barracks, in order to induce their 



PORT ANTONIO. 



279 



comrades to join them ; while they often retired for reading, prayer, 
and spiritual conversation, to the rocky recesses by the sea-side, 
where no mortal eye witnessed their devotions. The oldest inhabi- 
tants used to express their wonder at the good conduct of the men of 
this regiment, though, when they arrived in Port Antonio, there was 
not a serious man among them. In October, the commanding officer 
received a letter from Head Quarters, expressing the highest praise 
of the conduct of his men, on which he remarked — " That, during 
the thirty-one years he had been in his Majesty's service, he never 
had received so gratifying a letter." When they were removed to the 
neighbourhood of Kingston, in May, 1 838, they felt much at parting 
with the religious friends they had been associated with. Several 
sent the writer letters, expressing their sorrow at the prospect of se- 
paration. One observed in his letter — "We expect shortly to 
remove from this station, and God only knows whether we shall ever 
meet again in this vale of tears ; but if not, I hope we shall spend a 
glorious eternity together. I have reason to bless the Lord that ever 
I came to Port Antonio ; for when I landed here, twelve months 
ago, I may say, with the Apostle, ' I was the chief of sinners' ; but I 
bless the Lord that you were made the instrument in his hand in 
awakening my guilty conscience ; for when I was invited to attend 
the preaching, I went with indifference and hardness of heart ; but 
He who caused the waters to flow from the flinty rock, smote my 
hard and stubborn heart. While sitting under your impressive dis- 
course, the Word came home as with a voice of thunder to my 
guilty soul. From that hour I was constrained to say, f Lord save 
me or I perish.' I laboured long before I beheld the light of his 
countenance ; but through reading the Scriptures, attending the 
means of grace, and the encouragement I received from the brethren, 
who were members of the Society, I joined a class, and cast myself, 
by God's assistance, fully upon the atoning blood of Christ ; and 
now I am spared a monument of his saving power, and can truly say, 
that, though He was once angry, his anger is now turned away, and 
he comforts my poor soul. O that his grace may not be bestowed in 
vain ; and, my dear sir, may you continue to find encouragement, 
may the Lord prosper his work in your hands, and give you many 
precious souls for your hire and seals to your ministry, that, at the 
morning of the resurrection, you may be enabled to say, ' Behold 
here am I, and the children thou hast given me.' 

"J. S. (64th Regt.)" 
Another wrote — " At the end of 1836, I came to Port Antonio a 
most abandoned wretch, thinking of nothing but drinking and ut- 
tering the most blasphemous words against both myself and my 
comrades, without thinking I should have to give an account unto 
my heavenly Father for every idle word. In November, I was asked 
by a young man to go to the chapel. I went and returned quite 
unconcerned, and continued in my wretched condition until Feb. 



280 



PORT ANTONIO. 



12th, 1837 .The words of the text, in Isaiah iv. 6, 7, ' Seek ye the 
Lord while he may be found,' &c., came home with such force to my 
heart that, on leaving the chapel, I could not rest, knowing that 
should I be called away before morning, I should be cast into hell 
fire. 1 knew not what to do, and was afraid to tell any one. I then 
attended all the services and meetings, and joined a class in March ; 
but still I felt no relief, till I was taken sick, and then I always felt 
pleased when you visited the hospital. I got better, then relapsed, 
and at this time, while searching the Scriptures, I found that Jesus 
Christ was the only Physician for the broken-hearted, and I was 
led to look to Him, as I expected every hour to be taken away. On 
recovering, I had a thousand temptations to return to sin as the dog 
to his vomit. After many a conflict, during which I was terrified 
both night and day, in March last, I was encouraged by Brother 
Randell to lay hold by faith on the blood of the Redeemer. I saw 
my sinfulness, and the sufficiency of his atonement ; and while on my 
knees in prayer at the chapel, my soul received consolation, though I 
wept much, thinking that the Most High should have been abused by 
such a sinner. I bless the Almighty for the sweet hours I have sat 
under your ministry, receiving words of sweet consolation to my poor 
soul. I can say that, ' Wisdom's ways are ways of pleasantness, and 
all her paths are peace.' I cannot conceive how the great change 
came over me, and I feel uneasy when I cannot do something for the 
glory of my Redeemer. What I once hated, I now love, and what I 
once loved, I now hate. I bless God for the day I came to this 
place, and the day I joined the Wesleyan Society ; and I pray that 
the Lord may own me in that day when he shall come to make up 
his jewels. 

" J. P. (Soldier, 64th Regt.)" 
Several others wrote in a similar strain, shewing that many a wan- 
derer in distant lands may be brought to salvation, through those who 
have been sent as ambassadors to the heathen. How many of these 
poor fellows has the writer visited when hastening into eternity under 
the burning fever ! 

The writer felt encouraged by the state of the little society at Hope 
Bay, at the head of which was the venerable Thomas Brown, like 
one of the primitive patriarchs, with his numerous family of children 
and grand-children around him. Though sinking under the weight 
of years, he was still a fine old man, tall, well-proportioned, and 
muscular ; with a countenance indicative of peace with God, and 
good- will towards all men — "an Israelite indeed in whom there" was 
" no guile." His conduct, during his long life, had secured the respect 
of all who had known him of every class of the inhabitants ; while 
his own family shewed him the greatest reverence and filial affection. 
Being ill in bed when the sacrament of the Lord's Supper was ad- 
ministered, in the month of June, the writer administered it to him 
afterwards privately. On receiving the emblems of the love of his 



PORT ANTONIO. 



281 



dying Redeemer, he clasped his withered hands, and looking upwards 
said, with much emotion — " O Lord, whenever thou are pleased to take 
me away, may I depart in peace with thee, and in harmony with all 
the world." 

The visits of the writer to this locality were heightened in interest 
by the opportunities they gave him of intercourse with the Rev. 
Joseph Williams, one of the island Curates, whose residence was on 
the hill overlooking the Bay. Many sweet hours of Christian inter- 
course were enjoyed with this excellent person, who sincerely loved a 
pure Gospel, and all who loved God. His decided piety subjected 
him to many privations, and much annoyance from those who had 
no taste for real religion. 

Among the various schemes adopted by the planters to supply the 
estates with labourers, after the abolition of slavery, was that of in- 
troducing emigrants from various parts of the world — the East Indies, 
Africa, Portugal, Germany, and Scotland — at an enormous expense 
to the country, and an awful sacrifice of health and life to the poor 
creatures, who were induced to come to Jamaica, in the hope of im- 
proving theif fortunes. Hearing of a number of families from Scot- 
land, who had recently been located at a township called Altamont, 
in a romantic vale beyond Moore Town, the Maroon settlement, above 
Port Antonio, the writer paid them a visit in March, 183J. The 
scenery around is sublime. The lofty rugged mountains present 
nature in her wildest luxuriance. The woody recesses of these ap- 
parently inaccessible heights are seldom penetrated, except by the 
fearless Maroon when in pursuit of the wild hog, or ring-tailed pigeon. 
The vale is traversed by a river, whose music is regulated by the 
mountain rains, which almost continually pour in this woody region, 
and sometimes in torrents, which threaten to flood the plains below. 
Though the climate is comparatively cool, it is very humid : the 
people say that it rains about three hundred days in the year ! There 
were several cottages already erected, about twenty feet square, di- 
vided into about three apartments. Each family had one of these, 
with a piece of ground for a garden, besides a provision ground. On 
my arrival, one of the emigrants called four of the families into his 
cottage. Having sung, prayed, and expounded the twenty-third 
Psalm, they warmly expressed their gratitude for the visit, lamenting 
their isolation from any place of worship, especially as they had been 
assured, before leaving Scotland, that they were to have a minister 
and a schoolmaster provided for them and their children ; but, alas ! 
no church-going bell echoed through the silent vale where they were 
secluded. No sign of the Sabbath, with its holy and sacred asso- 
ciations, gladdened their eyes or ears, after six days' toil, in a far dis- 
tant land ! The Superintendent of these poor people was indignant 
when he heard of this visit, and endeavoured to prejudice the minds 
« of the people, which was to be looked for, as he was the same magis- 
trate who put the padlock on our chapel door at Port Antonio, during 

2 M 



282 



PORT ANTONIO. 



martial law, in 1832. After a second visit, the writer ceased to go. 
In a short time these families all perished through fever, disappoint- 
ment, and neglect. Some were drowned in the river ; and the whole 
affair ended in a miserable tragedy, as was the case with the emi- 
grants in all parts of the island. 

In the month of August, two of the members of Hope Bay Society 
died. One, a son of old Mr. Brown. He was named after his father, 
and was also a leader. Being in the act of repairing a mill-wheel on 
one of the estates, he heard a man cry for help, and as he made an 
attempt to save him, a large wheel turned round and set others in 
motion, between which he was instantly caught, and had the lower 
jaw-bone broken into three pieces, the teeth driven out, and the left 
hand and arm crushed to atoms. On visiting him, the writer could 
not recognise him, he was so disfigured ; the face and throat were 
swollen, and the left arm amputated. On seeing the writer, his eyes 
kindled, and he attempted to move to salute him, as he was wont. 
With his remaining hand he seized one of his, pressed it first to his 
heart, then to his lips, and shook his head, with a look that eloquently 
told his sufferings and expectation of death. Having re*ad a portion 
of Scripture and prayed with him, the writer asked if Jesus was pre- 
cious to him. On which he motioned for a slate. Several of his 
friends held him up in bed, while he attempted to write. He began 
— " I feel I cannot move my tongue. Jesus has done great things, 
if I could only gasp his name, he would do greater." Here he sank 
exhausted ; yet, till the writer left the room, he struggled to shew 
the happiness this visit gave him. On the 15th, his mangled frame 
was laid in the grave, amidst a large number of affectionate friends 
and relatives, who lamented the unexpected removal of one whose 
gentle piety endeared him to them. 

The other who died was Catherine Lecky, a young woman of 
colour, who was carried off by fever in a few days. When dying, 
she " asked the hour," and on being told, she said — "Why do you 
keep me. I have heard the trumpet sound three times, and there is 
my Saviour ready to receive me." Soon after which she entered into 
rest. 

At Port Antonio, in the early part of the following year, the con- 
gregations were crowded, and several were received on trial for mem- 
bership, two of whom were young persons, children of members, who 
seemed to be in earnest about salvation. 

There was a gradual increase of interest taken in the evangelization 
of the world by the people, who showed, by their contributions, that 
they felt for those who were still destitute of the Gospel. The an- 
nual public meetings, at Port Antonio and Hope Bay, were crowded. 
At each meeting one of the local magistrates presided. The ad- 
dresses were excellent, the interest lively, and the contributions 
£93 17s. 4jd. currency — the largest amount ever raised for the » 
general mission fund in this circuit in one year. In addition to this, 



PORT ANTONIO. 



283 



contributions were received and a site for a chapel purchased at Port 
Antonio, besides the foundation of a chapel laid at Buff Bay, on a 
piece of ground given by Miss Matthews, the very kind friend at 
whose house the missionaries were entertained, and the congregations 
accommodated, till a chapel could be built. After labouring three 
years among the people in this circuit, the writer had much reason 
to acknowledge the Divine goodness for the tokens of his approval, 
which appeared in the degree of prosperity granted to the mission. 
Never can he forget the happiness he experienced in witnessing the 
Christian spirit and walk of many of the people, and the happy 
deaths of those who were called away. After his removal, he was 
succeeded by Mr. Hornby, who was followed in 1840 by Mr. Williams, 
who laboured with a noble and successful zeal in the erection of the 
long- wished for chapel, which was opened in 1841 ; — a view of which 
is prefixed to this account. It is a large, respectable, and substantial 
place of worship, measuring fifty feet by thirty-five, with walls twenty- 
five feet in height. It is seated for a congregation of five hundred, 
and has a vestry behind, which appears in the lithograph. 

In March, 1843, the writer visited Port Antonio, and spent some 
time with Mr. and Mrs. Davies, who were comfortably circumstanced 
and happily employed in doing good. On Tuesday evening, the 
28th, on a very shoft notice, the new chapel was crowded, when the 
writer had an opportunity of preaching to his friends, to whom he 
had so often held forth the word of life. After service they crowded 
into the vestry to take an affectionate and final farewell, which re- 
vived many pleasing reminiscences. On the following day, he 
visited Hope Bay, accompanied by Mr. Davies, where Mr. Brown 
appeared more patriarchal than ever, being still found in the way of 
righteousness — his hoary head was to him a crown of glory. Taking 
farewell of him and his numerous family, he hastened on to Buff Bay, 
and though it was dark ere the writer arrived, on a bell being rung, 
the chapel soon filled with an attentive congregation, to whom he 
delivered his last massage. Having rested for the night, he journeyed 
westward on the following day, after bidding adieu to Miss Mat- 
thews and Miss Foster, whose kindness left a pleasing impression, 
and added a degree of mournful interest to the word farewell. The 
little chapel, overshadowed by the cocoa-nut trees, looked very neat, 
and seemed to answer the little society for whose accommodation it 
had been erected. The liberality and zeal of the friends just named, 
were exemplary ; they not only gave the ground, but raised almost 
all the money necessary to defray the expense of the building. 

The following year, Mr. and Mrs. Davies, and their infant, fell 
victims to fever. On the 18th of July, Mrs. Davies finished her 
pilgrimage at Port Antonio; and, on the 1st of November, Mr. 
Davies died at Morant Bay, rejoicing in the God of his salvation, 
having gone there for change of air, after the death of Mrs. Davies. 
For two years, Mr. D. laboured in the Clarendon circuit immediately 



284 



MOUNT FLETCHER. 



after his arrival in the island, as the colleague of the writer. He was 
a pious, zealous, and useful missionary ; and when the writer saw 
him and his excellent wife at Port Antonio, both seemed likely to be 
long spared to promote the cause of the Redeemer. 

MOUNT FLETCHER. 

This station is the most elevated of any in the island, and the most 
difficult of access. After leaving Kingston, there is a carriage 
road for about ten miles, though the latter part of it is by no 
means either safe or easy, as it approaches the steep ascent of the 
mountain paths, where the scenery becomes highly interesting, from 
the rugged, rocky chasms of towering mountains, whose rich foliage 
overhangs the bed of the river, the sight and sound of which is 
refreshing to the traveller, after leaving the hot neighbourhood of the 
city. On crossing the river, the work of climbing commences, 
which lasts for several hours, calling for the utmost courage and 
caution, especially on the part of such riders as are unaccustomed 
to Alpine travelling. Height after height must be scaled, with lofty 
cliffs on the one hand, and yawning chasms or ravines on the other, while 
the path, in many parts, is so narrow as not to admit of two passen- 
gers passing each other. On reaching a part where the road seemed 
hardly wide enough to allow of the pony putting one foot before the 
other, we were told that an overseer with his horse had been pre- 
cipitated into the frightful gully below, where both perished. The 
only wonder is that such catastrophes are not more frequent. The 
excessive labour of ascending is considerably mitigated by the 
gradual reduction of the temperature of the air, which becomes like 
that of England during a moderate summer season ; hence many of 
the vegetables, flowers, and fruits of temperate latitudes grow in the 
gardens of the inhabitants. The coffee grown in these mountains 
has been considered equal, if not superior, to any in the island. On 
account of the distance of the plantations situated in these regions from 
the city of Kingston, and other places, where the population is large 
and concentrated, the people have been left to themselves ; hence 
African superstition, with all its demoralizing effects, has had its 
full influence among them. 

In 1839, the missionaries stationed in Kingston felt exceedingly 
anxious about extending the mission towards the mountain districts, 
which led them to press the Committee to send some additional mis- 
sionaries to enable them to do so. In February, 1848, Messrs. 
Fraser and Bleby paid a visit to Mount Hybla, where a house had 
been rented, and a school begun, in order to make trial of that loca- 
lity for a mission station. Mr. F. thus expressed his views of the 
climate, and the prospect of establishing a mission — " There is an 
astonishing difference of climate between these mountains and the 



MOUNT FLETCHER. 



285 



plains beneath them ; and it might be included among the reasons 
which recommend the fixing of a station upon them, that it might be 
used as a health station for any one of the Society's missionaries who 
may become invalid. No one need think of going to Bermuda, when 
he might go to Mount Hybla, unless it be that the physician pre- 
scribe a sea-voyage. Here is a garden, cultivated by a neighbouring 
gentleman, filled with the fruits and flowers of England successfully 
cultivated, a proof of the northern temperature of the climate. The 
house in which we lodged had a fire-place ; and not only I, but Mr. 
Bleby, who has much good English blood in him, was glad, at night, 
to use it. We visited the school, and spoke to about forty children. 

" In the evening, there came together, from the neighbouring 
coffee plantations, a large number of labourers, and I preached to 
them from ' The grace of God, which bringeth salvation, hath ap- 
peared to all men, &c.' They were attentive to the Word ; and, in 
general, it seemed to me that there was good hope of fruitful service, 
if a missionary were resident on the spot. After service, to-night, I 
begged the people to stay until the moon should arise, to show 
them over their craggy roads, for I had heard that even those best 
acquainted with the mountains would be liable to falls, if they tra- 
velled at night." The following day he left Mr. Bleby, who was to 
stay over Sabbath, and as he descended, his top coat, so necessary in 
these lofty mountains, became an intolerable burden as he reached 
the heated atmosphere of the plain. 

The visits of the brethren led them to see the lamentable state of 
spiritual destitution of the people, many of whom had never heard a 
sermon till now. A temporary chapel was fitted up, which was, in 
a short time, twice enlarged, without affording accommodation to the 
numbers who attended the services. Mr. Harding took an en- 
thusiastic interest in these mountaineers, which led him to labour for 
their salvation with a self-sacrificing zeal, which eventually destroyed 
one of the healthiest and most robust constitutions. He seemed to 
be actuated by the same spirit that inspired Neff, when pursuing his 
career of usefulness in the Alps. The following is a specimen of his 
excursions in these mountains, contained in a letter dated August, 
1842 — "A short time ago, in compliance with earnest invitations 
from persons resident in the neighbourhood, I visited Cocoa-Walk, 
which is distant, from our preaching place here, about ten miles, and 
is situated on the banks of Yallah's River, in the parish of St. David. 
After about three hours' ride, over narrow mountain roads, steep and 
dangerous, I reached the place, and called at one of the first houses 
I came to on the way-side. The poor man who occupied it kindly 
received me into his house ; and, at my request, called his neigh- 
bours together, to whom I declared the Gospel of the blessed Jesus, 
which they heard with considerable attention. On leaving this 
people, I engaged to be with them again in two weeks' time, on the 
same day (Saturday). In this visit I observed that very few of the 



286 



MOUNT FLETCHER. 



inhabitants ever attended a place of worship ; that they are extremely 
immoral, the majority living in open disregard of the seventh com- 
mandment, and many unbhishingly defend the practise ; that the 
population is dense, and greatly on the increase ; and that they have 
no place of worship within ten or twelve miles. Meeting with se- 
veral gentlemen of considerable respectability and influence in the 
neighbourhood, I introduced myself to them, and told the object of 
my visit. Most of them not only expressed their entire approval of 
my proceedings, but seemed grateful that some hope was now pre- 
sented that they might have a place of worship in their own neigh- 
bourhood ; at the same time, they did not conceal their regret that 
they had not been thus favoured at an earlier period. One said, ' 1 
have not been in a place of worship for four years;' another said, 4 1 
have only attended three times since I came to the island ;' and a 
third, an interesting young man, deplored his inability to attend the 
distant places of worship as often as he would. After giving, as I 
was able, a word in season to each of these, I proceeded on my way. 
Some whom I afterwards met and conversed with, spoke in a similar 
spirit and manner. The next time I visited the place, I had a large 
audience ; and nearly twenty children, with some adults, were brought, 
and applied for baptism. These, in consequence of the parents living 
together in an unmarried state, I was obliged to refuse ; at the same 
assuring them, if they broke off their sins by marriage, gave their 
hearts to God, and themselves to his church, I would with pleasure ad- 
minister the ordinance to their children. The adults I also examined, 
and promised, if they continued to seek the Lord, to baptize them in 
the course of two or three ' moons.' 

" Having made arrangements for the supply of my Sunday ap- 
pointment, I visited Cocoa Walk on Sunday, and preached under a 
large spreading tree, to a respectable and orderly congregation. 
After the preaching, I invited all those who ' desired to flee from the 
wrath to come,' to retire with me to a neighbouring house, where I 
would coverse with them individually. Many followed me, and, after 
some conversation with them, fourteen of them were formed into a So- 
ciety. These I commended to the blessing of God, and departed. 
A few days after this I received an invitation from the Hon. J. Leslie, 
Member of the House of Assembly for the parish of St. David. As 
soon as possible I waited on him. After some enquiries re- 
specting my objects in visiting that part, my religious connections, 
&c, he kindly offered me the use of a large house for preaching, 
which he holds in the neighbourhood of Cocoa Walk. I expressed my 
gratitude, and left him. In a short time after my interview with the 
honourable gentleman, I opened the house for preaching, when a 
large company was present. On this occasion I baptized some 
children, and two adults, one of whom is a cripple, and not able to 
walk, and nearly eighty years old. The service was interesting and 
impressive. After the service, more were added to the Society ; so 



MOUNT FLETCHER. 



287 



that now our number is about twenty. To God be all the glory. 
Amen, and Amen !" 

The prospect of usefulness continued to brighten, and new open- 
ings presented themselves in many localities. By the middle of the 
following year, no less than six invited the immediate attention of 
the missionaries, some of which offered a wide field of usefulness ; 
but already there were 5,000 members in the Kingston circuits, un- 
der the care of only five missionaries, so that without an increase in 
their number it was impossible to enter the open doors everywhere 
presented to them. 

In 1844, a new circuit was formed in these mountains, named 
Mount Fletcher, from the principal station, to which Mr. Harding 
was appointed as resident missionary, though he had removed thither 
with his family in 1843, in order to superintend the erection of the 
chapel, a view of which is prefixed to this account. It is a stone 
building, twenty-four feet by forty. When the writer visited the 
station in the month of May, 1843, it was in course of erection. It 
promised to be a superior building, the walls being of hard lime-stone, 
the architecture chaste, and the workmanship superior, so that it 
would have done credit to Kingston itself. In pleading with the 
Committee, at this time, for additional missionaries, he observed, after 
depicting the spiritual destitution of these mountains — " I am so im- 
pressed with the truth of these representations that I could, upon my 
bended knees, implore you to listen to our appeals, and send us help, 
and send it without delay. I have frequently ridden from the dawn 
of the day till long after sun-set, through the populous districts for 
which I plead, preaching the Gospel from house to house, and have 
wept over the spiritual destitution of the thousands, around the 
borders of whose dwellings your missionaries have been hovering for 
nearly half a century, and, up to the present moment, are unable to 
go up and taken possession of the land. Must this state of things 
continue ?" At the end of the following year he had about 2000 
hearers, and about 800 members in Society, who were, of course, as 
yet but in an infant state as Christians. 

In 1846, Mr. Harding removed to Yallahs and Bethesda circuit, 
where his health failed, which compelled him to return to England. 
On his removal, Mr Hornabrook was appointed to Mount Fletcher ; 
but a discouraging change in the temper and circumstances of the 
people gradually appeared. Instead of hungering and thirsting for 
the bread and water of life as they were wont, many of them grew 
careless. In August of the following year, he observed — " I am led 
to fear, from the intemperance, drumming, and dancing which prevail 
in the neighbourhood, that only a few had heard so as to profit there- 
by. I am sorry to say a humiliating change has come over many of 
the inhabitants of Jamaica. A blighting influence rests upon some of 
the churches ; but although we are cast down, we are not destroyed. 
"We are still going forth weeping, scattering the precious seeds of 



288 



MOUNT FLETCHER. 



eternal life ; and, notwithstanding, we have no immediate prospect of 
being rewarded for our toil, yet we believe we shall successively be- 
hold the blade, the ear, the full corn in the ear, and then the ap- 
pointed weeks of harvest. During the wiiole of my missionary ca- 
reer, I have never felt more than I do now the need of falling back 
upon first principles, or of taking hold by faith of the covenant en- 
gagements of God, and_ the many predictions which insure 
the universal spread of the Redeemer's kingdom. I feel en- 
couraged to buckle on the harness a-fresh, and patiently wait at the 
post of duty, until He shall pour out his spirit from on high." 

The causes of the decaying aspect of the mission are judiciously 
pointed out in the following extract of Mr. Hornabrook's report, at 
the close of 1848. After noticing a decrease in the number of the 
members, he writes — "We have, however, the satisfaction of know- 
ing that our present discouragements have been brought upon us by 
a concurrence of events, over which we had no control. In the first 
place, scarcely was this mission organized, when the difficulties con- 
nected with the transition state of society began to be experienced 
by all classes. Many who had joined us were deplorably ignorant, 
and therefore ill -prepared to meet them. These, yielding to the nu- 
merous temptations arising out of their change of circumstances, and 
thereby proving themselves unworthy of their civil and religious 
privileges, we have been under the painful necessity of putting away 
from us ; for, while we feed the flock committed to our care, we are 
resolved to guard the sheep-fold from the profane and incorrigible, 
being fully persuaded that Christian discipline is essential to Chris- 
tian order. In the second place, the panic occasioned in the agricul- 
tural and commercial world has seriously affected the prosperity of 
this mission. The people in these mountains are entirely dependent 
on estate cultivation for support; consequently, any thing which 
proves prejudicial to the planter, is severely felt by the labouring po- 
pulation in this neighbourhood. For sometime they have not been 
receiving a fair remuneration for their services. Many of our people 
have been working on coffee properties, for three, six, and even 
nine months, without receiving payment of their wages. This, to- 
gether with the late dry season which has raised their provisions, has 
involved them in great poverty, so that many who are conscientiously 
attached to our cause, and who deem it a privilege to contribute to 
its support, have been prevented from doing so for want of means. 
In the third place, the cause of God among us has been greatly ob- 
structed by our not having suitable agency to work the circuit effi- 
ciently." Here we see the evil results of the missionaries not being 
able to reach this mountain people, years before they were brought 
into possession of civil freedom. Had they been earlier favoured 
with the Gospel, this would have been one of the most delightful mis- 
sions in the island. 



289 



CHAPTER XX. 

CLARENDON AND BLACK RIVER. 

Extent and aspect of Clarendon Circuit— Halse Hall visited by Mr Crofts— A Station 
begun at Lime Savannah— Persecution— Success of Messrs. Corlett, Bird, Bur- 
rows, and Wilcox— A Society formed at Vere— Death of Messrs. Wilcox and Cor- 
bett— Messrs. Rowden and Jackson— Death of Mr. Jackson— A Chapel erected at 
Lime Savannah, and a Schoolhouse at Vere— Messrs. Samuel and Davies— 
Schools opened— Success— Liberality of the people— Messrs. Hodgson, Lewis, 
and Thompson— Black River— A Mission begun by Mr. Simmons— Messrs. Curtis 
and Burrows— Death of Mr. Redfern. 



Clarendon circuit is very extensive, as it embraces stations in the 
parishes of Clarendon, Vere, and Manchester, at a considerable dis- 
tance from each other. Lower Clarendon and Vere is a vast plain, 
bounded on the north by the Mocho mountains ; on the west, by the 
mountains of Manchester ; on the south, by the sea ; and on the east, 
by the parish of St. Dorothy. It abounds in estates, some of 
which are very extensive. A great variety of the hard and beautiful 
woods of the country grow in this plain, which is exposed to a flam- 
ing sun, which renders it one of the hottest parts of the whole island. 
At intervals, it is almost entirely burnt up from want of rain ; so 
that the cattle and small stock perish from want of grass and water, 
unless they be removed in proper time to the mountains for pasture. 
At other times it is deluged with rain, especially in May and Octo- 
ber, when it is difficult or impossible to travel it from the softness of 
the soil ; after which the malaria, produced by the decaying vegetable 
and animal matter, spreads sickness and death around. The moun- 
tain districts form a perfect contrast in aspect and climate, being well 
watered and richly covered with grass, and all the varieties of 
shrubbery and trees generally to be found in the highest parts of the 
island. The parishes of Clarendon, Manchester, and Vere, in which 
the principal stations are situated, contain above 400,000 acres of 
land ; and, previous to the abolition of slavery, there were nearly 
50,000 slaves on the estates, besides free persons, for whose spiritual 
necessities there was but slender provision. 

In no part of the island has African superstition exerted so exten- 
sive or pernicious an influence as in this district. Till within a compa- 
ratively recent period, gross spiritual darkness covered the people, 
though some of the properties are the oldest and richest in the 
island. 

The attention of the missionaries was first called to this part of the 

2 N 



290 



CLARENDON. 



island by a gentleman, whose scientific researches have brought him 
prominently before the public. On the 13th of July, 1824, Mr. 
Young writes — " H. T. De la Beche, Esq., proprietor of Halse Hall 
Estate, Clarendon, having expressed a wish to have his negroes in- 
structed by the Wesleyan Missionaries, and our district Committee 
having appointed Mr. Crofts and myself to wait upon him and make 
arrangements to meet his views, we left Kingston last evening, and 
by three o'clock to-day, reached Halse Hall, where we met with a 
most polite reception. As it is the proprietor's intention to exempt 
the negroes from work a day in the week, exclusive of the Sabbath, 
for the purpose of their attending to religious instruction, Mr. Crofts 
readily engaged to visit them every week. This will, however, be 
hard upon Mr. C, the place being twenty-four miles from his sta- 
tion ; but as every facility will be afforded him in travelling, and as 
the prospect of good being done is so very pleasing, he is determined 
to make the attempt. This opening may be viewed as a very fa- 
vourable one, because it not only commences under auspicious cir- 
cumstances, but stretches our line into another parish, containing a 
population of nearly 20,000 slaves, and which has not as yet had the 
advantages of missionary labours. We may therefore hope that this 
opening will lay the foundation of a permanent establishment in this 
beautiful and extensive parish." 

For a while Mr. Crofts continued to visit this estate ; but the dis- 
tance from Spanish Town where he resided, his other numerous en- 
gagements, and sickness, united to prevent him giving that attention 
which was essential to any real and lasting good being done. Be- 
sides this, the slaves were ever suspicious of any movement that 
seemed to be a part of estate discipline, in which light they were ever 
ready to view the establishment of a mission on an estate. To which 
may be added, such a limited mission would naturally shut out the 
people of other estates, who could only be allowed to attend worship 
as a matter of courtesy. Of the honourable and kind intentions of 
the proprietor of Halse Hall, the writer had the strongest evidence 
some years after this, when he was offered ground, timber, and every 
facility for the erection of a place of worship, through his Attorney, 
James W. Turner, Esq. It ought to be mentioned, that many of the 
proprietors of West India estates have been anxious to have their 
slaves instructed by the missionaries ; but the local obstructions, 
thrown in the way by the system of slavery, have ever defeated their 
wishes and intentions. To be useful, the missionaries have been com- 
pelled to occupy neutral ground, and live and act " as the friends of 
all, the enemies of none;" though denounced as " sectarian," they have 
been actuated by the most exalted spirit of generous catholicity. 

In 1829, an opening presented itself at Lime Savannah, which is 
within two or three miles of Halse Hall, where Taylor Muir, one of 
the Spanish Town members, settled. A temporary chapel was fitted 
up, and a small class formed. However, the visits of the missionary 



CLARENDON. 



291 



were only occasional, owing to other engagements ; but the follow- 
ing year, Mr. Kerr having got a colleague in Spanish Town circuit, 
more attention was afforded, and more good done. Mr. Muir gave 
an acre of land on which to erect a chapel, as soon as funds could be 
raised. Matters seemed in a fair way for prosperity, till the insurrec- 
tion broke out at the close of 1831, when the infant mission was 
bitterly assailed by the enemies of slave instruction. Mr. Muir was 
insulted, threatened, and intimidated. As he depended for his living 
on the planters, he could not stand against their opposition, and 
yielding to it, he shut his door against the missionaries, to save his 
little property from demolition, and his person from violence. The 
little society was completely scattered for a time. During the whole 
year only one public service could be held, and had not one of the 
members boldly opened his door to the missionaries, even this would 
have been impossible. By the end of 1832, the storm so far sub- 
sided, as to allow of two classes meeting, and seventeen members 
being united as a society. As the prospect brightened, Messrs. Cor- 
lett and Wilcox earnestly sought to evangelize this large and desti- 
tute part of the island. Their efforts made in 1833 were crowned 
with distinguished success. The ground given for a chapel was en- 
closed, and put in a state of readiness for commencing the erection 
of a chapel. Many seemed to be awakened to a sense of their guilt 
and danger under the preaching of the Word ; so that there was a 
considerable increase of members to the society. Throughout the 
following year, still greater encouragement was given to the brethren ; 
so that, with great labour and much travelling, they held public ser- 
vice almost every Lord's Day, though there was no chapel nor any 
lodging for them where they might stay over the night, which com- 
pelled them frequently to travel from fifty to sixty miles, besides 
doing a hard Sabbath Day's ministerial work, before arriving again 
in Spanish Town. The prospect of freedom, by the commencement 
of the apprenticeship system, gave great encouragement to the people 
to attend the services ; so that '* the society increased in numbers, in 
spirituality of mind, in acquaintance with the doctrines, precepts, and 
privileges of our holy religion;" and, although nearly all were ap- 
prentices, they were remarkable for punctuality in their attendance 
on the means of grace. Mr. Corlett purchased a piece of land at 
Vere, where, for a while, large congregations continued to assemble 
for worship, under the shade of the Mango trees, with which it was 
covered. At this period, Messrs. Corlett, Bird, and Burrows, were 
quite overburdened with work, from the number of stations, and ex- 
tensive travelling required to reach them. 

In August, 1834, Mr C. wrote — " On Friday morning last, I left 
home for Clarendon, where the Lord is pouring out his Holy Spirit, 
reviving his work, and gladdening the hearts both of his people and 
his ministers. The person who has contracted to erect the new chapel 
is preparing the bricks, and is bound to finish his contract by the 



292 



CLARENDON. 



first of December. This building (at Lime Savannah) will be more 
expensive than I calculated on, as the whole is to be brick-work ; 
but I shall use every effort to secure the approbation of the district 
Committee, by not incurring a large debt, and at the sametime pro- 
viding a commodious and substantial chapel. The society is in a 
very blessed state, and is increasing weekly." 

The following year, Clarendon was cut off from Spanish Town 
circuit, and Messrs. Wilcox and Corbett appointed to it as a new 
circuit, presenting a wide field of usefulness. At Lime Savannah, a 
thatched cottage was erected for the accommodation of Mr. Wilcox, 
and one at Vere for Mr. Corbett, as no lodging could be procured for 
either the one or the other. Till the month of May, these brethren 
laboured diligently and successfully ; but, within a few weeks, both 
were consigned to the grave. Having received intelligence that Mr. 
Wilcox was deceased, the writer hastened from Grateful Hill to 
Kingston, where he met Mr. Corbett at the mission house, who gave 
the following account of this melancholy event : — On Saturday, May 
16th, about four o'clock, p.m., Mr. Wilcox was seen looking at the 
work going on at the new chapel, and after staying a short time, he 
went towards the Rio Minho River, by a path through the wood. 
As he did not return home to tea, enquiry was made whether he had 
been to see a person who was sick, but no information could be got ; 
and as night set in, fears began to be entertained by a few of the 
people that something had happened to him ; the night became very 
dark, and the rain poured down in torrents. About eleven o'clock, a 
number of the people having procured lanterns, scoured the wood for 
a considerable time, while others searched the river. At length, his 
clothes were discovered on the bank, and his little dog shivering 
among the long grass, pelted by the teeming rain. The alarm was 
given, which soon brought the party to the spot. The cry, " Here 
are minister's clothes and his dog," at once excited their worst fore- 
bodings, which were soon confirmed by one of the people finding 
him a little farther down, on his feet and breast high in the water, 
with his head bent down, and his arms turned towards his stomach, 
and the whole skin nearly black, plainly indicating that he had been 
seized with cramp on stepping into the river. The body was per- 
fectly stiff, A Coroner's inquest was held ; and the body buried in 
the evening, which happened to be the Sabbath. A few weeks be- 
fore this, Mr. Corbett asked Mr. Wilcox to accompany him to the 
river, in order to bathe ; but Mr. W. observed, that he had felt 
afraid to bathe for many years, as his mother once dreamed that she 
saw him drowning ! What gave additional melancholy interest to 
this event was, that he perished on his birth-day, and just as he was 
looking for a letter by the packet, which was to call him to England, 
to be married to a young person to whom he had been engaged for 
seven years. Before leaving home, he made an entry in his journal, 
which indicated that his soul was prepared for this unexpected ter- 
mination of his useful life. 



CLARENDON. 



293 



The effect of this on the mind of Mr. Corbett was exceedingly 
painful. He told the writer that he could not think of it, without 
experiencing a distressing melancholy, and that he felt an aversion to 
return to Lime Savannah. He went to Spanish Town, where he 
was kindly entertained at the house of Mr. Edmondson ; but on 
Friday, June 5th, he was seized with fever, and continued worse the 
following day. Medical aid was sent for. He was blooded twice, 
and had strong medicine administered; still the fever advanced. 
Another medical gentleman was called in on Sabbath, and everything 
that could be done, both by the medical attendants and Mrs. Ed- 
mondson, whose kindness and experience were fully displayed on the 
trying occasion, was done ; but at two o'clock, on the morning of the 
9th, he had black vomit, and expired in five hours afterwards. On 
the evening of the same day, his remains were consigned to the 
tomb. In conversation with the writer, about the death of his col- 
league, Mr. Wilcox, he referred to the heart-rending hour when he 
parted with his own mother and sister, in order to sail for Jamaica. 
" Ah !" said she, " I shall never again see you in this world !" " O 
yes," replied he, " at the end of four years I shall return to England, 
and find you all well." He was a young man, of sound judgment, 
and sincere piety ; a distinct and impressive speaker ; affectionate 
towards his brethren ; and anxious to do the work of an evangelist, 
to make full proof of his ministry. 

Thus was this extensive circuit at once deprived of both mis- 
sionaries, and at a time when the angel of death was cutting of many 
of the brethren and their families ; so that, for a time, it was impossible 
to obtain for the bereaved people such assistance as they needed. In 
1836, Mr. Rowden was appointed to the circuit ; and in June, he was 
joined by Mr. Jackson, who had just arrived in the island. These 
brethren continued to prosecute their labours diligently. In order 
to extend the mission towards the mountain district, Mr. Jackson 
took up his residence beyond Chapelton, at a place called " The 
View," which commands a gorgeous range of mountain scenery. The 
people flocked to hear the Gospel ; and a Sabbath School was begun, 
in which adults, as well as children, appeared as learners ; but it was 
afterwards found that the locality was too far from the centre of the 
circuit for the residence of a missionary. In a letter written by Mr. 
Jackson, soon after his arrival at this place, he observed — "There 
are many estates (coffee) surrounding this place, on which there is a 
vast population of negroes, to the whole of which, we trust, we shall 
be able to preach the Gospel. But there is one circumstance, in con- 
nection with this people, which gives great encouragement, and which 
is worthy to be noticed. They have long desired and prayed to be 
visited by a missionary, that they might hear ' words whereby they 
might be saved,' and have public religious ordinances established 
among them. I think we have reason to say, that 'the harvest truly 
is plenteous ;' and we are furnished with the strongest incentives to 



294 



CLARENDON. 



the consequent duty, ' pray ye therefore the Lord of the harvest that 
he will send forth labourers into his harvest.' " 

On the 31st of August, 1837, Mr. Jackson was arrested in his 
career of usefulness by fever, which terminated in death, in four 
days. He was seized while at the residence of his Superintendent, 
Mr. Rowden, at Lime Savannah. Till within a few hours of his 
death, neither himself, medical attendant, nor wife apprehended any 
danger. About nine o'clock on Saturday evening, he raised himself 
in bed, and took a little tea with Mrs. J. In about an hour alarming 
symptoms appeared, and at half-past twelve, he expired. 

Mr. Rowden was left by this painful stroke of Providence to do 
as well as he could to meet the spiritual necessities of the people, 
and to finish the chapel begun by Mr. Wilcox, at Lime Savannah, 
which, in honour of the late Rev. John James, was named James' 
Place. A view of this building accompanies this account. The 
tomb at the left covers the remains of one of the sons of the writer, 
who was named Richard Watson, and close by, the dust of Messrs. 
Wilcox and Jackson awaits the sound of the last trumpet. In ad- 
dition to finishing this chapel, Mr. R. erected a schoolhouse at Vere, 
which was remarkably slight ; and owing to the want of proper sup- 
port for the floor, it afterwards gave way, being far too weak to bear 
the congregation. This place was called Watsonton, in memory of 
the lamented Richard Watson, who, with Mr. James, were dear to 
the missionaries whom they sent out. 

Early in 1839, the writer along with Mr. Davies, was appointed to 
the circuit. The lamentable ignorance that pervaded the whole re- 
gion round about was very apparent. The people had been kept in 
utter darkness till the missionaries began to visit them. No schools 
were provided for the tens of thousands who were now beginning to 
breathe the air of civil freedom. At Lime Savannah, as well as at 
each of the stations, there was an earnest desire among the members 
that their children should be taught, until a school could be es- 
tablished. The writer met a large number of the children in the 
chapel at Lime Savannah, whom he continued to instruct on the week 
days, till Mr. Armstrong, the general superintendent of schools, sent 
a teacher. In the month of May, a schoolmaster was appointed to 
Vere ; but from want of a proper place, he was compelled to use the 
building as a schoolhouse and lodging for himself, which called for no 
small self-denial on the part of the worthy man who was so usefully 
employed and poorly circumstanced. At Manchester, a schoolhouse 
was erected, and named Gunnersbury, after the residence of Thomas 
Farmer, Esq. Throughout the circuit, the congregations were large, 
and the people deeply attentive. The experience of the members in 
many instances was sound and scriptural, and their conduct consis - 
tent. Several places were visited, besides the regular stations ; and 
as the station at " View" was rendered of minor importance by one 
of the missionaries of the London Society having taken up a station 



CLARENDON. 



295 



close by, the writer gave it up, and took up a new station on a 
mountain, at some distance, which was thickly inhabited by small 
settlers, who were in a state of utter spiritual destitution, and very 
anxious to have the Gospel preached to them. On the 27th of 
April, a large number of people assembled in a house, near Mount 
Moses ; every apartment was filled, and a great many were congre- 
gated outside. The writer occupied the centre of the piazza, in order 
to see the people. After having catechised some children, he 
preached to the congregation, from John iii. 3 ; but soon after he 
began, about two-thirds of the floor gave way, when he and thirty or 
forty of the hearers were precipitated to the ground floor, leaving the 
greater number still above, staring after us, wondering where we were 
gone ! For sometime all was alarm and confusion ; but on dis- 
covering that no one was seriously hurt, the writer retired under the 
shadow of an orange tree, and gave out a hymn, which soon brought 
all around him, and gave him an opportunity of directing their atten- 
tion to the Providence which numbers even the hairs of our head. 
Many were the conjectures of the negroes as to the hand the devil 
had in this circumstance. Some said, " Fo true Satan, him angry 
too much, when him see minister come for turb him kingdom mong 
we sinna, an so him try fo brok massa neck!" Others observed, 
" My king, sichin a fright we's minister got, sure him no come fo see 
me sinna any mo." On which Francis Graham, who accompanied 
the writer as guide, assured them, " Dat massa no so soon feared, fo 
if him tink Satan no want him come, Massa will sure come back 
all the sooner jist fo spite him." This catastrophe led the people to 
erect a temporary thatched chapel, on a piece of ground belonging 
to Thomas Robertson ; but as soon as it was up, a tremendous rain 
set in, which soaked the grass, with which the roof was covered, 
made it too heavy for the posts supporting it, so that it came flat to 
the ground ! The next erection was more substantial, and withal 
was wattled and plastered with adhesive mud, which looked like 
cream-coloured lime. For benches short posts were put into the 
ground, and poles or bamboos nailed horizontally, allowing a breadth 
of two or three inches to sit upon. The pulpit was formed of three 
poles, fixed perpendicularly, and a bit of board on which to place the 
bible. In this primitive place of worship, some hundreds continued 
to assemble, in order to hear the glad tidings of salvation. A mis- 
sionary meeting was held in 1840 ; and the poor people, just emerging 
from the darkness of heathenism and slavery, contributed above £60 
currency. One of the difficulties in the way of supplying this sta- 
tion, was the bad state of the roads, during wet weather. In some 
parts, the struggling and plunging of the horse to get through mud 
some feet in depth, and tough as clay, endangered both horse and 
rider ; besides which, it was at least twenty miles from the residence 
of the missionary. 

The proprietor of Halse Hall having again requested our Committee 



296 



CLARENDON. 



to accept of land on which to erect a chapel, Messrs. Edmondson, 
Bleby, and Randerson, arrived at the residence of the writer in June, 
and we proceeded to the estate, and fixed on a very eligible site ; but 
the number of pre-occupied stations was greater than could be at- 
tended to, especially as both the missionaries were called to suffer 
much through fever, from July till the beginning of the following year. 
The writer and his family were brought to the brink of the grave. 
One of the children died ; and Mr. Davies narrowly escaped. After 
trying the mineral waters at Milk River Bath, all were ordered to the 
mountains of Manchester, where the change of air had a very pleasing 
effect. At this time, the thermometer at Lime Savannah was ninety- 
two degrees in the shade, without a breath of air, and the whole 
plain was filled with deadly malaria. While in the mountains it was 
the happiness of the writer to have some very friendly intercourse 
with Messrs. Patterson and Scott, of the Scottish Missionary Society, 
both devoted to their missionary work ; but, alas ! the latter soon 
fell a victim to fever, and the other was killed by being thrown out 
of his gig. 

The attendance of the people on the week evening services at Lime 
Savannah, in order to listen to the Word preached, and for prayer, 
was most cheering ; the chapel was crowded, Divine influence evi- 
dently rested on the people. In supplicating the throne of grace, 
there was a simplicity, and acquaintance with the grand truths of the 
Gospel, and a spiritual unction that was most refreshing. If the 
writer had drank a more bitter cup this year than ever had been given 
him, he had also to bless God that it was a year full of encourage- 
ment to him to go on with his ministerial work. 

Throughout 1840, great prosperity attended the efforts of the mis- 
sionaries. Three day schools were in active operation. On every 
hand, new places for week evening preaching presented themselves. 
A deep interest was taken by the people in missions to the heathen, 
and a larger amount was contributed by them to the general mis- 
sion fund, than by any other circuit in the island ; while to the Cen- 
tenary fund, also, they gave an amount unequalled by any other of 
the circuits. The incidents which indicated the advancement of the 
work of God among the people, were numerous and encouraging ; 
among which may be mentioned the conduct of the members belong- 
ing to Seven Plantation Estate. A stranger, having come to work on 
the property, accidentally set fire to a field of sugar-cane, while cook- 
ing his breakfast. Thomas Davidson, steward of the society at Lime 
Savannah, who was a head man on the estate, called the people 
together, represented to them the great loss sustained by the owner 
through this accident, and proposed to work without wages till the 
amount was made up ; to which they agreed. Davidson then in- 
formed Mr. Shaw, the overseer, of their design ; but he did not ac- 
cept this generous offer, as not one of them was to blame for it. As 
none, except members of the society, would make the offer, it was 



CLARENDON. 



297 



clear that this noble feeling was the effect of the Gospel upon their 
hearts. Their liberality in endeavouring to support their own minis- 
ters was highly honourable to them. The increase of members in the 
course of the two years was about three hundred, which made the 
total, in all the stations, amount to one thousand and seventy-three ; 
while above two hundred children attended the day-schools, under 
three salaried teachers. An excellent residence was secured for the 
missionary, at a reasonable rent, at Lime Savannah, the want of 
which no doubt was a painful cause of the sickness and death of so 
many within a short time. On leaving the circuit at the end of 
1840, the writer and Mr. Davies had reason to look back with grati- 
tude to the Head of the Church, that he had not withheld his bless- 
ing from their labours. 

Messrs. Hodgson and Lewis followed in this circuit early in 1841 ; 
but the health of the latter quite failed, so that, soon after the middle 
of the year, he was laid aside. He wrote this to the Committee. 
"The Chairman has now written to inform me that I am at liberty to 
return. But what a serious affair, to leave the Clarendon circuit, 
with four societies, scattered over a hundred miles in circumference, 
to one missionary ! I have so pitied Mr. Hodgson and the people, 
that I have several times rode in the rain, and endangered my life, to 
assist him. But do our English friends allow this ? Must we go 
to our appointments when ill of fever, and so weak as to be obliged 
to preach sitting ? I am fully persuaded that if our dear friends 
knew our labours and sufferings, they would do more than they have 
ever done to send others to assist us." By three physicians Mr. L. 
was urged to return to England, in order to save his life. 

On the removal of Mr. Lewis, Mr. Thompson was sent to the as- 
sistance of Mr. Hodgson, both of whom laboured with self-denying 
zeal and great success in 1842. At Vere, a chapel was erected. The 
former building having been intended only for a school-house, was 
found to be too small and weak for the congregations which thronged 
it. The chapel at Lime Savannah underwent a thorough repair, to- 
wards which the people contributed most liberally, besides entirely 
supporting their own ministers, without any assistance from the mis- 
sion fund, and pledged themselves to support another, should he be 
sent out, in order that more pastoral attention might be given them ; 
besides which a chapel was begun at Manchester, where, as at Vere, 
the school-house had hitherto been used to accommodate the con- 
gregation. Since then this important circuit has suffered severely 
from a variety of causes. Sickness, poverty, and want of a sufficient 
number of missionaries, have united to test the faith and patience of 
both minister and people. The last time the writer travelled through 
Lower Clarendon and Vere, the whole face of the land was burnt up 
with drought. For many months not a drop of rain had fallen ; so 
that scarcely a blade of grass was to be seen for miles around ; while 
the pastures were covered with the whitened bones of the cattle which 



298 



BLACK RIVER. 



had died from want of pasture and water. The scene was heart- 
withering; the poor people were in a state of desolation, being 
threatened with famine, as their small stock had all perished, and 
their provision grounds were utterly empty, and reduced to barren- 
ness by a burning sun. 

BLACK RIVER. 

It was not till 1834 that the missionaries were able to extend their 
labours to the extensive parish of St. Elizabeth, which is situated in 
the south-west part of the island, containing above two hundred and 
fourteen thousand acres of land, with nearly twenty thousand people 
on the estates. 

Mr. Simmons was the first missionary appointed to this field of 
usefulness. On his arrival, he turned his attention to Black River, 
Lacovia, Mountain Side, and Pedro Plains. Of these he observed, 
in October — " At Black River crowds of people flock to hear the 
Word, and appear anxiously desirous to become acquainted with the 
truth. A small society is formed ; the establishment of a Sabbath- 
school is commenced ; and contributions are made to promote the ob- 
ject of the mission. At Lacovia, some vile characters have been led 
to abandon their sins, and embrace the religion of our Saviour. 
About twenty are meeting in class, and giving proof of their sin- 
cerity, by their obedience to the commands of God. Mountain Side 
is, in my opinion, the most important part of this circuit. The po- 
pulation, including that of the surrounding properties, is immense. I 
have paid the utmost attention in my power to this place ; and every 
time I visit the neighbourhood, I am convinced of the urgent call for 
another missionary in this part of the island. I grieve when I think 
of the spiritual destitution of so great a multidude, and deeply regret 
the impracticability of visiting them oftener. In this neighbourhood 
a missionary's life might be honourably and gloriously spent. The 
inhabitants generally are ignorant and superstitious, and many have 
lived in the practice of the most disgusting abominations ; yet they 
now seem intensely desirous to be instructed in the things of God. 
At present, I conduct Divine service in a very small house, which is 
always crowded almost to suffocation ; while sometimes numbers of 
hearers outside suffer from the fervid beams of a vertical sun, 
followed by drenching torrents of rain. Some of them have 
already abandoned their sins, several meet in class, and others, who 
have for years been living licentiously, are about to be united in ma- 
trimony. 

" The inhabitants of Pedro Plains are principally free, but de- 
plorably ignorant, superstitious, and heathenish. Some years ago, a 
large school-house or chapel was erected in the centre of the Plains, 
under the sanction, and with the assistance, of the Bishop of Jamaica, 



BLACK RIVER. 



299 



and a person appointed to teach the people, receiving a small stipend 
for his trouble. The attempt failed, and the house is abandoned. 
Being desirous to occupy it, I made a personal application to his 
lordship for the present use of it, which was kindly granted." There 
were many places to which Mr. S. was invited ; but without another 
missionary, it was impossible for him to avail himself of them. The 
prospect on the west side of Santa Cruz Mountains, continued en- 
couraging. Hundreds gladly listened to the Gospel ; and, by the 
close of the year, above thirty were on trial for church membership ; 
while at Black River the society consisted of nine members. 

Mr. Simmons was followed in this circuit by Mr. Curtis in 1836, 
who felt much encouraged by the degree of success that attended his 
ministry among the people, and which would have been much larger 
if suitable chapels could have been erected, as the people feared the 
missionary might at any time go away and leave them, as there was 
nothing to guarantee their stay among them, in the way of mission 
property. Towards the end of the following year, Mr. C. wrote — 
"Is the work of the Lord standing still? Thank God it is not. 
During this year, some of our members have been brought into the 
enjoyment of a clear sense of God's pardoning love, and are now, I 
believe, walking in the fear of the Lord, and in the comfort of the 
Holy Ghost. Our congregations continue quite as good as they 
ever have been since I came to this circuit. Our small place at 
Black River is in general uncomfortably crowded, especially on a 
Sunday evening. I preach there every Sunday and Wednesday 
evening. It was my fixed purpose to erect a chapel at Mountain 
Side, in the course of this year, without any, or a very trifling ex- 
pense to the society ; but I have been unhappily disappointed of the 
land which had been promised, and have also failed hitherto in pro- 
curing any other. I do not, however, despair of finally succeeding in 
this important point, and that soon. Our people here are willing to 
do anything and everything they can, in the way of labour." 

Mr. Burrows having visited England, was appointed to Black 
River on his return to the island ; and after his removal, Mr. Red- 
fern took his place, but he soon fell a victim to fever, from which Mr. 
Burrows also had suffered considerably during his residence in this 
circuit. The moral and spiritual state of the people excited the deep 
concern of Mr. Redfern, and led him to preach in the open air, which 
no doubt tended to bring on his fatal illness. In a letter, found 
among his papers, by Mr. W. Whitehouse, after his death, he wrote 
under date June 15th, 1841 — " I find, on the south side of this 
island, our work is much behind that in the north and east ; in fact, 
there exists among the black and coloured population generally a 
strong prejudice against us in this parish, which feeling has kept many 
from coming to hear us at all. In no part of the island are the plain 
heart-searching doctrines which we preach more required than here. 
I therefore resolved to preach in the open air. On several occasions I 



300 



BLACK RIVER. 



have done so, and some hundreds of persons attended and listened 
with great attention. I believe good has been done in this way ; and, 
although we have considerably enlarged the room in which we wor- 
ship, yet, on Sunday evenings, it is so full as to render it very un- 
comfortable, being as hot as an oven. I regret to see the tone of 
morality so low in this vicinity ; in the lower classes, ignorance and 
vice are awful, and in the better informed, love of the world and 
pleasure, and other sins, prevent them from thinking about the sal- 
vation of their souls. In the country, our prospects are more en- 
couraging than on the Bay. We have a large congregation near 
Santa Cruz Mountains, which continues to increase ; but here also 
we are straitened for want of room, many persons being obliged to 
stand outside. A piece of land has been given us, and a shed is to 
be erected upon it immediately, as we have not the means to build a 
chapel." 

In the midst of his usefulness he was seized with yellow fever, 
which cut him off on the 15th of July, 1841. He died in peace, and 
was lamented by the people, to whom he had endeared himself by 
his efforts to bring them to the Saviour. 

Just at this time, Mr. Whitehouse was ready to sail with his 
family to England, after many years successful labour in the island ; 
but just before he closed with the Captain of a ship for a passage, 
news of Mr. R.'s death arrived, which led him to delay his departure, 
that he might supply Black River till the end of the year. Though 
the cause continued low at Black River, Mountain Side station gave 
much encouragement. The congregations were large and attentive, 
and most of the respectable proprietors in the neighbourhood began to 
attend the public services. Some seemed seriously disposed, and 
expressed much anxiety to see a chapel built, promising to give 
liberally towards defraying the expense. 

In the following year, while Mr. Lockyer was in the circuit, the 
proposed chapel was commenced ; the people came forward nobly 
with their contributions, and offers of gratuitous labour. At the end 
of the year, there were forty- six members at Black River, and one 
hundred and forty-eight at Mountain Side. 



301 



CHAPTER XXI. 

SAVANNA-LA-MAR, LUCE A, AND MOUNT WARD. 

Description of Savanna-la-Mar— Mr. Box begins a Mission— Persecution— Messrs 
Inglis and Bleby re-organise the Mission— Mr. Curtis— Mr. Lofthouse erects a 
Chapel— Death of Mr. Lofthouse— -Messrs. Randerson and Moss— Lucea— Situa- 
tion of the Town— A Mission begun— Messrs. Bleby and Seccombe— Mr. Chap- 
min erects a Chapel and enlarges the Circuit— Mount Ward— Situation— Mr. 
Murray begins a Mission— Two Years' Persecution— Mr. Wedlock revives the 
Society— Mr. Ritchie appointed resident Missionary— Mr. Lofthouse commences 
a Chapel— Mr. Curtis— Mr. Chapman dies. 

The town of Savanna-la-Mar is situated in the parish of Westmore- 
land, which terminates the island on the south-west. For several 
miles around, the land is quite a flat. Towards the west, there is a 
morass, of several miles in extent, covered with mangroves, and 
being below the level of the sea, it cannot be drained. From this a 
pestilential miasma is constantly exhaled, rendering it destructive to 
the health of Europeans. From the mountains, a considerable por- 
tion of the plain appears to be under good cultivation, and presents 
a beautiful landscape, in connection with the hills and sea which 
bound it. The town is built by the sea-side, on an alluvial soil, 
which is scarcely raised above high water mark. Great quantities of 
rain fall here, which render it uncomfortable and unhealthy. The 
harbour is by no means a good one. The water is shoaly, and ves- 
sels have nothing to shelter them. The town consists of one prin- 
cipal street. The court-house, and a few good dwellings belonging 
to merchants, besides the church and the chapels belonging to the 
Baptists and Wesleyans, are the only buildings of consequence. In 
October, 1780, the town was destroyed by a hurricane and an earth- 
quake, which also ravaged a great part of the county of Cornwall, and 
consumed much property. The inhabitants of Kingston contributed 
£10,000, and the British Parliament, £40,000, towards extricating 
the sufferers from this calamity. When the writer visited this town 
in September, 1842, in company with Messrs. Fraser and Chapman, 
we found the temperature to increase, as we descended the mountains, 
till, on our arrival, the thermometer stood at 90 degrees in the shade. 
Two hours afterwards, a thunder storm began ; the lightning and peal- 
ing of the thunder were awful, and being accompanied by deluges of 
rain, the temperature of the atmosphere was reduced about 20 de- 
grees in a short time. The night became very dark, and with great 
difficulty we found our way to the chapel, having to hop, step, jump, 
and splash, through the water and mud, which covered the street. 



302 



SAVANNA- LA-MAR. 



The sensations of the writer gave him a most unfavourable impres- 
sion of the town and neighbourhood, with regard to the possibility of 
escaping fever in such a swamp. The parish comprehends nearly- 
one hundred and seventy-six thousand acres of land. The estates 
are numerous, some of which are rich and extensive. Above twenty 
thousand slaves used to be employed in their cultivation, besides the 
free inhabitants. 

The missionaries in 1829 requested Messrs. Barry and Box to 
visit this part of the island, in order to see whether any stations 
could be taken up. On the evening of the 6th of June, they arrived 
at Savanna-la-Mar. Mr. Barry wrote — " We at once perceived, on 
entering Savanna-la-Mar, that it was our ground. The town is 
much larger than I expected. It has an elegant church, and a most 
respectable court-house ; and I think the population cannot be less 
than two thousand, perhaps it is more. As soon as possible we took 
a house for the purpose of preaching, and at a reasonable rent, pro- 
cured a place, which will accommodate a large congregation, as well 
as lodge Mr. Box comfortably. We then paid our respects to Tho- 
mas Hardin, Esq., one of the magistrates, and afterwards to Doctor 
Dystin, another magistrate, who appears a very polite, respectable, 
and intelligent gentleman. We expressed our regret that we were 
not in time to present the house to the Quarter Sessions, and hoped 
Mr. Box would not in consequence meet with any obstruction. The 
Doctor observed, that he was certain none whatever would in- 
terrupt the discharge of Mr. Box's duties. Savanna-la-Mar is the 
key to a great number of populous estates." On the following Sab- 
bath, Mr. Box began his work. In the evening he was delighted to 
see about two hundred listening attentively to the " Words of eternal 
life." The majority of the hearers were free persons of colour. 
Such was the increasing desire to hear, that many came an hour be- 
fore the time of beginning service, in order to secure seats. Some of 
the most respectable merchants and storekeepers attended regularly. 
The morning congregations were chiefly composed of slaves belong- 
ing to Bath estate, who also manifested a desire to " flee from the 
wrath to come." Some time after, he wrote — " I have, through the 
blessing of God, already formed a society of twenty-four persons, 
chiefly slaves, some of whom worship God in the spirit, rejoice in 
Christ Jesus, and have no confidence in the flesh. Of these I enter- 
tain a hope that they will continue to adorn the doctrine of God our 
Saviour, in all things, and be the foundation of a rising church here, 
against which ' the gates of hell shall never prevail.' The coun- 
tenance given to our infant cause by the judicious and highly re- 
spected magistrates of this parish, and the absence of all opposition 
to our progress, on the part of the inhabitants, are circumstances 
which I would mention as indicative of the better state of mind with 
which the glorious Gospel of the blessed God is now received than 
formerly." Again, he observed — " A few weeks since, I opened a 



SAVANNA-LA-MAR. 



303 



Sunday School, which promises to be highly beneficial ; but in con- 
sequence of the excessive rains which have fallen this season, the 
roads are almost impassable, and consequently comparatively few 
have as yet attended ; but I intend, as soon as practicable, to make 
a general survey in the town, at least, for the purpose of ascertaining 
the state of the rising generation, and of increasing the schools. 
Since my residence here, the mortality has been very great, arising, 
in a great measure, from the situation of the town, which is sur- 
rounded by extensive morasses, that, in times of excessive heat or 
wet, are very deleterious ; but blessed be God I have enjoyed un- 
interrupted health, and feel strong to labour in the delightful work of 
pointing sinners to the Lamb of God." 

Mr. Box continued to labour with great energy and success, feel- 
ing much encouraged by the proofs he had that he was not labouring 
in vain. From the limited number of estates in the vicinity of the 
town, the attendance of the slaves on the services was comparatively 
small — most of those who attended were free persons. Mr. B. also 
paid great attention to the prisoners in the jail and workhouse, who 
seemed to feel grateful for the interest he took in their spiritual wel- 
fare. 

The pleasing anticipations of Mr. Box, with regard to this new 
field of labour, were soon threatened with disappointment. Mr. 
Crookes, and after him Mr. Bleby, were appointed to the circuit ; but 
when the insurrection took place, the mission was given up, from the 
bitter persecution which was raised against all the missionaries in 
that part of the island. In 1 834, Savanna-la-Mar was visited by 
the Montego Bay missionaries, who succeeded in re-organizing the 
scattered society ; but the numerous stations calling for their atten- 
tion, put it out of their power to give the people a sufficient amount 
of attention. 

In June, 1834, Mr. Wedlock wrote — " On the 15th, I preached 
twice at Savanna-la-Mar. At the evening service, the house which 
I have hired was filled, and many were obliged to stand without. 
The people heard the Word with great attention. Some of the late 
violent persecutors were present, and conducted themselves with great 
propriety. At the close of 1831, we had a small society there ; and, 
though they had not seen the face of a preacher for more than two 
years and a-half, I found many of them had continued faithful, and 
therefore formed a little society of sixteen members. Because of 
the distance of Savanna-la-Mar from this place (i.e. Montego Bay), 
and farther, on account of the overwhelming congregations we have 
here and at Ramble, we shall not be able to visit it more than once in 
three weeks, if so often." However, in the following year, Messrs. 
Bleby and Inglis being appointed to the west-end of the island, they 
laboured with energy and success at Savanna-la-Mar, Lucea, and 
various other places between them. On the 18th of March, 1835, 
the Rev. Valentine Ward arrived at Savanna-la-Mar, and after stay- 



304 



LUCEA. 



ing till the following evening with Mr. Inglis, he preached his last 
sermon but one, to a large and deeply affected audience. New Shef- 
field and Amsterdam stations were added to Savanna-la-Mar circuit, 
while Mr. Inglis was stationed there. After his removal, he was 
succeeded by Mr. Curtis, under whom the spiritual state of the 
people advanced. At the close of 1840, there were six hundred and 
thirty-four members in the circuit, and one hundred and seventy- 
eight children in the schools. 

In 1841, Mr. Lofthouse laboured with great zeal throughout the 
circuit, in preaching the Gospel, and in the erection of the chapel, 
represented in the Lithograph prefixed to this account. It is a brick 
building, in the Gothic style, measuring fifty feet by forty, and cal- 
culated to seat six hundred hearers, having a gallery opposite the 
pulpit. Early in the month of October, Mr. Lofthouse began to feel 
unwell. On Tuesday the 5th, he was seized with fever ; and on the 
Sabbath following, he expired, in steadfast hope of eternal life. As 
if hastening to finish his work, his efforts to save souls, just a little 
before he was called away, were extraordinary. Many professed to 
have been brought to the Redeemer by his ministry at the time. In 
order to take care of the bereaved flock till a successor to Mr. L. 
could be sent, Mr. Bleby removed from St. Ann's to Savanna-la-Mar. 

During 1842, Mr. Randerson's labours were rendered a blessing 
to the people. There were five stations, viz., Savanna-la-Mar, with 
two hundred and sixty-three members, and a fine prospect of useful- 
ness ; while the state of the society was in the highest degree satis- 
factory. At the Cave, there was an excellent day-school, forty feet 
by twenty-four, commanding a beautiful view of both sea and land, 
with Savanna-la-Mar in the distance. The congregation met in the 
school, till a chapel could be built. The number of members was 
two hundred and thirty- two. At New Sheffield, there were seventy- 
one ; at Amsterdam, forty-seven ; and at Hope, thirteen — making a 
total of six hundred and thirty members, and sixty- three on trial ; 
one Sabbath and two day-schools, with four salaried and fifteen 
gratuitous teachers. 

As Mr. Randerson returned with the writer to England the follow- 
ing year, he was succeeded by Mr. Moss, in this important sphere of 
missionary labour. 

LUCEA. 

The town of Lucea is situated near the north-west end of the island, 
in the parish of Hanover, and in the county of Cornwall. Though 
the harbour is only about half a mile across at the entrance, it forms 
nearly a circle inland. The anchorage is good, there being from 
four to six fathoms water all over it. The town stands on the south- 
west side of the harbour. There is one large street close to the shore, 



LUCE A. 



305 



above which there are many houses on the sides of the steep hill 
which overlooks the sea. Many of these are perched on heights, 
which threaten to give way, and descend towards the beach. It is 
an affair calling for some effort for a stranger to climb to these dwell- 
ings ; but on reaching them, the splendour of the scenery is a rich 
reward for the breath wasted in panting up the steep paths which 
lead to them. There are some respectable buildings in the town, 
as the church, the Presbyterian and Methodist chapels, and a few 
others. There are about a hundred and fourteen thousand acres of 
land in the parish, and a very large number of properties, on which 
there used to be more than twenty thousand slaves. It is very 
hilly, well-watered, full of picturesque scenery, and the shore abounds 
in bays and creeks. 

In 1 829, this town was visited by Mr. Duncan, who was stationed 
at Montego Bay, and a society was formed. The congregations were 
large and attentive, and the prospects pleasing. The report of the 
following year, by Mr. Murray, was — " The cause of God prospers. 
Several deaths have taken place during the year. Several persons 
also have been dismissed ; but considerably more having been ad- 
mitted, the number of members has increased. The congregations 
are generally pretty good." A small Sabbath school was established. 
From the time the insurrection took place, till Mr. Bleby was ap- 
pointed in 1836, the station had been vacated, on account of the de- 
termined hostility of those who united themselves with the notorious 
" Colonial Union." At this time, Lucea and Savanna-la- Mar, with 
some minor stations, were united into one circuit, under the care of 
Messrs. Bleby and Inglis. At the close of the year, the members 
amounted to seven hundred and forty-three. In 1838, Lucea again 
appeared as a separate circuit, to which Mr. Seccombe was appointed. 
As the people were fully emancipated in August, a spirit of dissatis- 
faction spread throughout the parish on the question of wages, which 
did great evil. Mr. Seccombe observed, in a letter dated September 
10th — -" Since the date of my last communication, we have had much 
to demand our exertions, and to try our faith. The 1st of August, 
and a few days immediately following, passed away with as little ex- 
citement, disturbance, and immorality, as could have been anticipated. 
The rate of wages, however, to be agreed upon between the people 
and their employers, soon furnished a subject of contention. This 
matter has greatly convulsed this parish. As might have been ex- 
pected, the agitation of the wages question has been unfavourable to 
morality and the growth of Scripture piety, vain and sinful amuse- 
ments have been much revived, and a few of our people have un- 
happily attended them, and, as a matter of course, they have either 
been suspended, or in the absence of any sign of sorrow or repent- 
ance, have been excluded from the church. On the whole, I bless 
God we have no need to be discouraged, although party spirit has 
been very rife. Disputes have been very numerous, and we have 

2 p 



306 



MOUNT WARD. 



had much additional labour and anxiety ; yet we look forward cheer- 
fully and confidently to the period when these local affairs will settle 
down into their wonted quiet, and when the agents of truth and 
righteousness will pursue their work with a success without a pre- 
cedent in the history of Jamaica." The evil here noticed existed in 
other parts of the island, and led to serious mischief in many instances, 
as might have been anticipated. 

In 1841, Mr. Chapman erected the chapel represented in the 
Lithograph accompanying this account. It is a neat little place of 
worship. In addition to this, he purchased a house at Dunalva, 
in the mountains ; and having altered and repaired it, so as to con- 
vert it into a chapel, named it Mount Hannah. He also opened a 
new station at River Side, directly south of Lucea. Mount Hannah 
lies south-east of the town, at a distance of about eight miles, in a 
mountainous locality, where the beautiful palmetto royal and mango, 
in their perfection, abound. In July, 1841, the writer, along with 
Messrs. Edney, Randerson, Seccombe, Chapman, and Mearns, at- 
tended a missionary meeting at Lucea, and one also at this station. 
At both places the congregations were large, and deeply interesting, 
and the collections liberal ; and although there never had been such 
a meeting held at Mount Hannah, the contributions exceeded those 
at Lucea. Just as we were mounted, in order to descend the moun- 
tain, a flash of lightning struck a tall cocoa-nut tree, which towered 
above us, and instantly the thunder followed, with a crashing noise, 
as if the whole mountain were rent in pieces by the bursting of a shell. 
The horses trembled, plunged, and darted in different directions, to 
the no small danger of their riders. However, by the kind Pro- 
vidence of God, no one was injured. For the greater part of the 
way, the rain poured upon us as we travelled back to Lucea. Mr. 
Chapman was most indefatigable in his exertions to promote the 
prosperity of this circuit ; but it never has given the missionaries, who 
have laboured in it, that success which they sought to secure. In 
1843, Mr. Curtis followed Mr. Chapman. At the end of the year, 
the members at Lucea amounted to one hundred and twenty-three ; 
at Mount Hannah, one hundred and fifteen ; and at River Side, 
twenty-nine, with seven candidates. In the following year, two 
day-schools were added. 



MOUNT WARD. 

The original name of this station was Ramble, which was changed 
to Mount Ward, in memory of the late Valentine Ward, who preached 
his last sermon here only four days before he died, as has been stated 
in the account of Montego Bay mission. 

It is situated in an elevated and beautiful part of the island, about 
sixteen miles south-west of Montego Bay, near the south-eastern ex- 



MOUNT WARD. 



307 



tremity of the parish of Hanover. For several miles around, the 
land is nearly level ; after which it descends towards the sea, north 
and south. The climate is cool, and the aspect of the country rather 
English. During slavery, within a range of about eight miles of the 
station, the slave population was estimated at about ten thousand, 
besides free people. 

This place was first visited when Mr. Murray was stationed at 
Montego Bay. If the memory of the writer serves him, Messrs. 
Murray and Box were travelling between Montego Bay and Savanna- 
la- Mar, and calling at the blacksmith's shop, near the present pre- 
mises, they saw the lamentable spiritual destitution of the neigh- 
bourhood, and were encouraged to do something towards supplying 
the people with the Gospel, as far as possible. The smith's shop 
was offered, and accepted by Mr. Murray, for the accommodation of 
a congregation, till a chapel could be built. The prospect of this 
becoming an interesting and important station, was very cheering 
till the insurrection began, which, for a while, threatened its utter 
extinction, as that storm burst with its greatest fury around this 
neighbourhood, and kept the missionaries away for two years. Dur- 
ing the season of misrule and persecution, a plot was laid to assassi- 
nate Messrs. Murray and Bleby when they visited this place in 1832 ; 
but by the good Providence of God, they were preserved, and de- 
livered out of the hands of their enemies. 

After the storm had passed away, the blacksmith's shop was again 
offered for the use of the missionaries, though the owner had been 
called away by death. The people anxiously implored that they 
might again have the Word of Life preached to them. The report 
was — "A great feeling after God is already awakened. Some of 
our enemies are not only at peace with us, but are inviting us into 
the country, to preach the truths of that Gospel which they have 
laboured to extirpate and destroy. On a review of the past year, 
we may in truth say, that though great and numerous have been the 
trials of the members of this society, yet greater far has been the Holy 
One in the midst of them, who, by his grace, has preserved them 
from fainting in the dark day of their deep adversity." 

In 1834, several of the magistrates and influential gentlemen 
shewed a degree of kindness, which intimated that the day of or- 
ganized opposition had passed away. One gentleman, a magistrate, 
and attorney for several estates around the mission station here, sent 
the following note to Mr. Wedlock, enclosing £50. " To the Rev. 
Mr. Wedlock." " The sum of fifty pounds currency, enclosed, is 
presented to the Wesleyan Missionary Society, for the purpose of 
aiding its efforts towards the religious instruction of the inhabitants 
of this neighbourhood." With regard to the people, he observed, 
that at each visit fresh encouragement was given by the anxiety of 
the hearers to profit by the Word, and that between twenty and thirty 
at a time offered themselves again as candidates for membership, who 



308 



MOUNT WARD. 



had been united before the insurrection broke out, but scattered in 
the cloudy and dark day. 

Mr. Corbett, who was appointed colleague to Mr. Wedlock, was 
with them on the memorable 1st of August, which was an event 
of deep interest to those who had felt the bitterness of slavery 
during the recent severe trials. Mr. C. wrote — " Our preaching 
place at Ramble was crowded at an early hour, and surrounded by a 
vast number of persons, who, though they could not get seats, 
listened very attentively to the sermon, in which they were directed 
to Him who is able to deliver them from the bondage of sin." " I 
shall just add, that the conduct of the negroes, during this eventful 
period, has been such as will, I should think, raise them in the eyes of 
all their friends." In the month of October, Mr. Bleby visited this sta- 
tion, on which he observed — " On reaching Ramble, about 8 o'clock in 
the evening, I found a large number of our kind and affectionate 
people awaiting my arrival ; and though much fatigued with my 
journey, I complied with their request to preach to them immediately. 
You are aware that our people had to pass through very trying scenes 
during the eventful year 1832 ; and many of them I had not seen 
since I preached to them on the day before the insurrection broke 
out. It was with heartfelt joy and gratitude to the Lord that I was 
again privileged to meet with them, under such favourable circum- 
stances, and to offer up our united prayers and praises to Him ' who 
rides on the whirlwind and directs the storm.' There was one indi- 
dual especially, who is a class-leader in our society here, with whom 
I was glad to meet. He was a slave ; and through the base machi- 
nations of a certain person, had been unjustly condemned to die as 
an insurgent. Brother Murray and I were, through the blessing of 
God, instrumental in saving him from an untimely and ignominious 
death. Lord Mulgrave found him in the Hanover Workhouse ; and 
having ascertained that he bore an excellent character, restored him 
at once to his family and his home. The wicked and malicious part 
which the person to whom I have before alluded had taken, was dis- 
covered by his employer, and he was immediately dismissed. The 
poor fellow has been much injured by confinement, and by the heavy 
irons with which he was bound ; but he is still what I ever knew 
him, — a holy, devoted, and useful servant of the living God. I spent 
a happy Sabbath with the people, and could not help exclaiming, 
when I witnessed the change which has taken place here, ' This is 
the Lord's doing, and it is marvellous in our eyes.' " 

On the 22d of March, 1835, the late Rev. Valentine W r ard spent 
his last earthly Sabbath at this station, wondering at what he beheld, 
and exclaiming, " Indeed, this has been one of the most interesting 
days of my life !" For a full account of the circumstances of his 
sickness and death, the reader is referred to the chapter on the Mon- 
tego Bay station. 

A school having been established here that year, the progress of 



MOUNT WARD. 



309 



both children and adults was pleasing. Some who scarcely knew the 
alphabet at the beginning of the year, by the close of it were read- 
ing the Scriptures. The number returned was one hundred and 
twenty- nine, of whom thirteen were adults. 

In 1836, Mr. Ritchie was appointed the first resident missionary 
to this station, which proved most beneficial to it, in all its interests. 
He was greatly encouraged by the regular attendance of the people 
on the means of grace. He remarked — " Their regular attendance 
on all the means of grace, is a proof that they have duly appreciated 
their privilege (i. e. of having a missionary residing among them). 
Catechetical instruction has proved a great service, in enabling them 
more fully to understand the great doctrines of the Gospel when de- 
livered from the pulpit. Our Sabbath School is in a state of grow- 
ing prosperity. Several have learned to read the Word of God, and 
have become efficient teachers. There is a great desire manifested 
by those who can read to have copies of the Scriptures. Some have 
purchased quarto Bibles, for which they have given the reduced price 
of £1 15s. currency. We had hoped that, before this time, the pro- 
posed new chapel would have been built for the accommodation of 
this very interesting society ; but, on account of the land not being 
secured, we have not yet commenced." 

Mr. Ritchie was followed by Mr. Lofthouse at this station. His 
impressions of it were expressed in a letter, written about a month 
after his arrival. The want of a chapel was much felt, as only a por- 
tion of the congregation could get within the place occupied for 
preaching ; so that, after the members were accommodated, there was 
no room for strangers. He observed — " Sabbath after Sabbath many 
of our old people not being able to stand at the windows, sat down 
upon the grass, until the hour for the class-meeting, when they ge- 
nerally go to some shady tree in the pasture adjoining." The ex- 
clusion of the children from the public services was also very in- 
jurious ; but the prospect of a chapel being erected, tended to keep 
the people from being discouraged. At this time, William H. Heaven, 
Esq., of Bristol, proprietor of Golden Grove, Silver Grove, and Ram- 
ble Estates, wrote to his Attorney, to make a grant of land and some 
money, in order that a suitable chapel might be erected. With re- 
gard to the religious state of the people, Mr. L. wrote — " The reli- 
gious experience of our members is most gratifying. It is true there 
are many aged, who are so dull that they seem never to comprehend 
the plainest truths — persons whose faculties have been so benumbed 
and stupified by the past, that to them the privileges of the present 
day seem to have come too late to remedy the evil of their case. 
Those, however, who have had opportunities of obtaining informa- 
tion, and have listened to the truths of God's Word, not only under- 
stand them, but satisfactorily state their religious experience. In 
some places I have been disappointed in not finding a stronger desire 
for knowledge ; but here the adults, as well as children, are truly 
athirst for instruction." 



310 



MOUNT WARD. 



In 1837, Ramble was cut off from Montego Bay circuit, and made 
the central station of a new circuit, which was designated Mount 
Ward, which led Mr. Lofthouse to visit all accessible places around 
its neighbourhood, so far as his time and engagements allowed him. 
The minor stations of Nairn and Carlton were taken from Montego 
Bay and joined to Mount Ward ; but being at a great distance, and 
in the same direction, Mr L. took up a new place between them, and 
united them into one, which was named Mount Reece. He also 
opened a station between Mount Ward and Savanna-la-Mar, which 
he named Coke's View, from which a splendid prospect is had of the 
vast plain lying towards the south part of the parish of Westmoreland. 

Unwilling to proceed with the erection of the proposed chapel un- 
til the ground was legally secured by the due execution of the deed, 
he was encouraged to make preparations by its arrival from Eng- 
land, in the month of August. He remarked — " The gentlemen in 
the neighbourhood shew their good feeling towards us in the most 
handsome manner. One of them, on finding that I would not pro- 
ceed with the erection in the absence of the deed, offered to guarantee 
me £1 000 ; but I thought it most prudent to wait. Another said, 
that sooner than the chapel should stand still, he would send his 
workmen for a month, which he actually did, and raised the founda- 
tion four feet in front, and levelled it ready for the joists of the floor." 
At this time, above a hundred scholars were on the books of the day- 
school, which had been recently opened. 

Mr. Curtis followed Mr. Lofthouse in the field of labour; and 
when he left, there were six hundred and sixty-seven members, and 
one hundred and sixty-eight scholars in the day-school. 

The last visit the writer paid to this station was on the 7th of 
March, 1843, at which time Mr. Chapman was busily engaged in the 
erection of a house for the mission family, close by the chapel and 
school-house ; all of which appear in the Lithograph view accom- 
panying this. • The house is at the left, the chapel in the centre, 
and the school-house beyond it. The small building in the distance, 
used to be the station of the Church missionary. Having spent the 
night with Mr. and Mrs. Chapman, and taken sketches of the mission 
premises, and also of the blacksmith's shop, where Mr. Ward preached 
his last sermon, and where the society used to meet, the writer bade 
Mr. and Mrs. C. an affectionate adieu, as he was hastening to prepare 
for his departure for England ; but, alas ! before he left the island, 
Mr. C. was numbered with the dead. He was seized with fever, and 
died on the 17th of May, in peace and triumphing over the last enemy. 
He was a promising missionary, talented, pious, enterprising, and 
devoted to his work. 




< 



X 



311 



CHAPTER XXII. 

HONDURAS. 

Description of the Settlement— Belize— Mr. Wilkinson begins the Mission— Death 
of Mr. Wilkinson— Death of Mr. Johnston— Mr. Wedlock erects a Chapel— Mr. 
Pilley fails to establish a Mission among the Mosquito Indians— Mr. Edney ex- 
tends the Mission— The Charibs build a Chapel— Messrs. Greenwood and Jeffries 
—State of the Mission under Messrs. Webster and Collier. 

At the suggestion of the Rev. Mr. Wedlock, who laboured with much 
success at Honduras, the writer is induced to give a short account of 
that mission, as it is comprehended in the Jamaica district. 

The British settlement at Honduras is situated in the southern 
part of the continent of North America, in the Province of Yucatan, 
between the parallels of 17 and 19, north latitude, and 88 and 90, 
west longitude, on a peninsula, which forms the Bay of Campeachy 
on the west, and the Bay of Honduras on the east. 

The line which embraces the settlement commences at the mouth 
of the Rio Grande, or Hondo River, whose course it follows, and 
afterwards runs parallel with it for thirty miles ; it then turns south, 
passes through the New River Lake, in a straight line to the River 
Belize, up which it ascends for a considerable distance, till again 
bending in a southerly direction it meets the head of Libun, whose 
course it follows to the sea. Its area is 62,750 square miles. It 
was discovered by Columbus in 1502. 

The coast of the Bay lies low, and is crowded with small islands, 
or keys, which are covered with verdure. So like are many of 
these to each other, that the most experienced seamen often get be- 
wildered among them ; so that to approach the coast without a pilot 
is deemed dangerous, and the risk, on leaving it, is, if possible, more 
so. These keys used to be the favourite retreat of the Buccaneers, 
who felt secure from pursuit, while they could conveniently sally 
forth to carry on their work of plunder and blood, both on sea and 
land. The key of St. George, about three leagues distant from 
Belize to the N.E., is a most agreeable and beautiful spot, and has 
many good houses upon it, to which the inhabitants resort for retire- 
ment during the hot months. The sick and convalesent are greatly 
benefited by the purity of the air, and other conveniences to be had 
at this little island. For many years, this was the chief place of 
trade in this part of the world. Here the merchants principally re- 
sided, and the ships delivered and took in their cargoes, till a transfer 
was made to Belize, as a more convenient situation, though less 



312 



HONDURAS. 



healthy. <{ Receding from the coast, the land rises into a bold and 
lofty country, interspersed with gigantic forests, rivers, and lagoons. 
The island frontier is formed by an immense chain of mountains, 
covered with luxuriant forests and underwood. Through this un- 
penetrable barrier, there is but one pass, which leads to Peton, and as 
it is only a foot-path, a few men might keep back an army. The 
lagoons, falls, and rapids of the rivers constitute the most sublime 
features of the scenery of this country. The river and lagoon of 
Manatee, ten leagues south of Belize, is considered to be very grand. 
About a mile from the mouth of the river is the lagoon — a vast sheet 
of water stretching for several leagues in a northerly direction. In 
many places lofty mountains ascend from its margin, overtopping ex- 
tensive woody valleys, where the tiger, armadillo, opposum, antelope, 
racoon, quash, and several species of deer abound, with a variety of 
the feathered tribe, who range securely in their shady retreat. Eight 
or ten miles from the lakes, the rapids begin, and the high rocky 
banks of the river assume a romantic and beautiful appearance. Far- 
ther on, there is a cataract of about a quarter of a mile in length, and 
of considerable acclivity. A cluster of beautiful caves, through which 
the river winds its way, and beneath which the traveller must pass, 
is next reached. These magnificent natural excavations of the moun- 
tains are semicircular at the entrance, and about five yards in diame- 
ter. Within the cave, the arch rises to the height of a hundred feet, 
and leads to another low arch, which being passed a second cavern 
of large size opens, beyond which is a third, with a circular orifice, 
through which the river enters. During the floods, the mouths of 
these caverns are filled with water, which boils up with prodigious 
fury, and thus detains travellers many days, before they can pass 
through the caves or tunnels. In the rainy season, as the water in- 
creases on the upper or inland sides of the mountains, the river forces 
its passage tlirough the interstices and openings in its sides with tre- 
mendous noise, forming an indescribably grand cascade of from forty 
to fifty feet high, issuing from fifty to an hundred orifices." All 
the fruits and vegetables to be found in Jamaica, are to be found in 
Honduras, with abundance of mahogany and logwood, which are the 
staple of trade. These latter attracted some adventurers from Ja- 
maica, who fixed their first settlement at Cape Catoch ; and as then- 
numbers increased, they extended their settlements as far south as 
the river Belize, and westward to the neighbourhood of Campeachy. 
These aggressions on their territory were resisted by the Spaniards, 
but without success. The hardy wood-cutters, aided by the seamen, 
whose ships they freighted, repulsed them, and, in 1659 and 1678, 
so effectually, that the town of Campeachy itself fell into their hands. 
After a succession of expeditions sent by Spain against the settlers 
— the last was made in 1798 — when 3000 Spaniards, led by Field- 
Marshal Don O'Neil, were forced to retire from St. George's Key. 
The thanks of his Majesty were tendered to Lieutenant- Colonel Bar- 



HONDURAS. 



313 



row, and Captain Moss of the Martin sloop, along with the troops 
and seamen under their command, and to the settlers, for their 
bravery on this occasion. From that time no renewal of hostilities 
has taken place. 

Belize, the capital of the settlement, is situated at the mouth of 
the river from which it takes its name. ' ' The part of the town which 
is situated upon the south or right bank of the river, along the 
eastern edge of a point of land, is completely insulated by a canal on 
its western side, which runs across from a small arm of the sea, and 
bounds the town on its south side. The houses are above 500 in 
number. Many of these, particularly such as are owned by opulent 
merchants, are spacious, commodious, and well-furnished. They are 
entirely built of wood, and generally raised eight or ten feet from the 
ground, on pillars of mahogany. The stores and offices are uniformly 
on the lower storey, the dining and sleeping apartments on the up- 
per. Every habitation has its upper and lower piazzas. The two 
parts of the town are connected by a bridge, which was built in 1818. 
It is twenty feet in width, and its span 220 feet. It is entirely con- 
structed of wood, and is well secured by ballustrades on each side. 
The streets are regular, running north and south, intersected by 
others. The main one runs in a north-easterly direction to the 
bridge, from the government house, which is situated on the south- 
east point or angle of the island, on the right bank of the river, and 
bounded on the south and east by the sea. Behind the government 
house is the church, on the east side of the main street. The whole 
town is embowered in groves and avenues of cocoa-nut and tamarind 
trees." Fort-George is situated on a small low island, about half a 
mile from the river. 

The population is of a very miscellaneous character, consisting of 
Europeans, Indians, Mosquito men, and a mixture of others. Some of 
the Honduras blacks are said to be little inferior to the whites in ori- 
ginality and vigour of intellect, though, as a body, they are very low. 
The coloured people are a medium between these and the whites. 
The Mosquito men are remarkable for a fine muscular form, but des- 
titute of intelligence, Their whole fortune is a canoe, a paddle, and 
a harpoon. These meet the cravings of nature, and no more is sought 
by this class of the people. 

The Indians are a timid inoffensive set of creatures ; but the moral 
state of the whole, until the influence of the Gospel began to be felt, 
was very low. 

Towards the end of 1825, Mr. Wilkinson arrived at Belize, where 
he was kindly received by several gentlemen, who gave him much 
encouragement to establish a mission. After spending eleven weeks 
in the town, preaching on the Lord's Day and on Wednesday even- 
ing, holding a prayer-meeting on Friday evening, and catechising on 
Tuesday evening, he proceeded into the country, taking the course of 
the river for about a hundred and fifty miles. During this tour he 



314 



HONDURAS. 



witnessed the lamentable state of religious destitution of the logwood 
and mahogany cutters, employed in these isolated parts. After this 
journey he remarked — " From what I have already witnessed of the 
disposition of the few people, who have come under my notice at 
Belize, and in this country, I am fully persuaded (notwithstanding 
the wickedness which long has reigned, and still reigns in various 
forms,) if faithful labourers were placed in this field, their labours 
would be rendered successful. The population of Honduras is prin- 
cipally of the slave condition, who are employed up the different 
rivers during the day, cutting mahogany and logwood. After having 
cut a large quantity, they convey it into the rivers, and follow it 
down the rivers with the floods. At present, the British possess a 
line of sea coast of about 250 miles, extending from the River Belize, 
under the ultimate boundary of the Mexican Republic, to the River 
Sarstoon, on the commencement of the State of Guatimala. A few 
gentlemen in this town (Belize), who have no connection with us, 
have offered to contribute towards the erection of a chapel. I in- 
tend to receive their subscriptions shortly, and then calculate what 
expenses will attend the building of a chapel, and the purchase of a 
lot of land." 

In conducting the prayer-meetings, he was assisted by Messrs. 
Jeckeland Rees; while John Armstrong, Esq., shewed him very great 
kindness, and gave him every possible aid in his work. Towards 
the end of March, 1826, he expressed the encouragement he received 
from a class of catechumens, which he had formed previously to taking 
his journey into the country ; there were about thirty of them, two of 
whom entered into the glorious liberty of the sons of God, and who 
could adopt the language of the Apostle, "Therefore being justified 
by faith, we have peace with God, through our Lord Jesus Christ." 

The object of the Missionary Committee in appointing Mr. Wil- 
kinson to Honduras, was to visit and instruct those persons located 
on the banks of Belize River. But the earnest entreaties of the in- 
habitants of Belize, and the promising field of usefulness it presented, 
led him to entreat the Committee to allow him to take the town, 
rather than the river banks, as a promising station ; after which he 
might extend his attention to the country settlements. Having 
yielded to the wishes of the people in the town, premises were pur- 
chased, and subscriptions liberally given towards the erection of a 
chapel and a dwelling-house. In the midst of his efforts and schemes 
of usefulness, Mr. Wilkinson was seized with a violent fever, which 
cut him off on the 20th of August, 1827, in the thirty-second year of 
his age, and fifth of his ministry. He was a missionary of no ordi- 
nary promise, deeply pious, and of an amiable temper, and very 
zealous for the salvation of souls. 

Mr. Wilkinson's place was supplied by Mr. Thomas Johnston, who 
arrived in the early part of 1828 ; but, alas! scarcely had he com- 
menced his work, when he was called to receive his reward. The 



HONDURAS. 



315 



following account of his labours and death was furnished by J. 
Armstrong, Esq., in a letter dated July 3d, 1838 — " I have now the 
painful duty to communicate to \ou (the Committee) the mournful 
information of the death of our dear friend, Mr. Thomas Johnston, 
who departed this life on the 14th of June last, at a quarter after 
three in the afternoon. Mr. Johnston's ministry was eminently suc- 
cessful. He never preached without the chapel being crowded. 
Characters that seldom or never before had entered a place of wor- 
ship, were seen in our chapel, and behaving with the greatest rever- 
ence ; even the officers of the garrison and the magistrates were some- 
times present. How mysterious are the dispensations of Almighty 
God ! A zealous and faithful servant of God cut short in a career 
of usefulness, whilst proclaiming the glad tidings of salvation, through 
the merits of a crucified Saviour. The little flock are again left ; 
but we will pray the Great Shepherd to protect us, and watch over 
us, until another under- Shepherd comes to guide us the way of life. 
He complained of indisposition a month before he was laid up ; but 
he would not lose a day. Even the Rev. Mr. N., the clergyman, 
endeavoured to persuade him to rest a little, and recruit himself by 
medicine, but to no purpose. He said he had a duty to perform — a 
great field to work in ; and he could not get time to rest himself. 
On Sunday, June 1st, I heard him preach thrice. His last text was, 
4 What think ye of Christ V Monday morning, according to an 
arrangement previously made, he was called out of bed to go 
and preach at Freetown, a place about thirty miles up the river. The 
heat of the sun was very great that day. On Wednesday the 4th, 
about seven o'clock in the morning, he came down, being quite un- 
well, and had lain in the bottom of the dorey (i.e. the boat) on the way 
down, which was during a part of the night. From this time, the 
sickness commenced, from which he never recovered. We pray you 
may send us another as soon as possible. Mr. Wilkinson and my- 
self used to say, that when we could see the chapel filled with people, 
we would be satisfied. Yet, if Mr. Johnston had lived, I was about 
to raise another subscription, in order to enlarge it. It is about sixty 
feet by forty ; but would not hold the hearers. I can assure you, I 
am much weighed down. I hope, however, that the little church will 
be kept together pure. There never was anything like Mr. John- 
ston's ministry in this country before. He seemed to cause a general 
desire for religion to prevail through every description of persons in 
our community." 

On the death of Mr. Johnston, Mr. Wedlock was appointed to take 
his place. However, he did not arrive at Belize till March, 1829, 
when he found that the little flock had been called to endure some 
persecution, which, with other things, reduced their number to six- 
teen. 

Mr. W. devoted himself with energy to his work ; the congrega- 
tions soon revived ; and the Sabbath school was brought into a 



316 



HONDURAS. 



state of order, and increased efficiency. The miserable circum- 
stances of the Indians on the Mosquito shore having been frequently 
and earnestly urged upon the attention of the Missionary Committee, 
in order that a missionary might be appointed to labour among them, 
their case was taken into consideration, and Mr. Pilley appointed. 
Along with Mrs. Pilley he left England on the 9th of October, 
and reached Belize on the 6th of December, after a rather unpleasant 
passage, which, however, was mitigated considerably by their having 
J. Armstrong, Esq., for a fellow-passenger. After being detained 
three months, until a vessel could be found to carry them to Mos- 
quito shore, Mr. and Mrs. P. sailed to Cape Gracias a Dios, where, after 
suffering many privations, encountering great difficulties, and suffer- 
ing much in health, without being able to effect any improvement in 
the spiritual or moral state of the objects of their mission, they sailed 
to Jamaica, where they were so far restored to their wonted health 
and strength, that they returned to Mosquito shore with renewed de- 
termination to prosecute their missionary work among the Indians. 
However, fresh discouragements and trials awaited them, along with 
much personal affliction. Their expectations were disappointed ; so 
that, with shattered health, they were compelled to return to Eng- 
land, without seeing any fruit of their labours and prayers in behalf 
of this unhappy people. 

The labours of Mr. Wedlock continued to be crowned with success 
at Belize, which rendered a new chapel absolutely necessary. The 
original premises were often crowded almost to suffocation, which en- 
dangered the health of both the missionary and his hearers. Some 
opposition was encountered ; still the mission advanced. A new 
chapel was erected, a Lithograph view of which is prefixed to this 
sketch of the mission. On Christmas-day, 1830, it was opened for 
public worship, on which occasion Mr. Wedlock preached in the morn- 
ing, from Gen. xxviii. 17 ; and, in the evening, from Luke ii. 10-11. 
It is a neat, commodious, substantial, and West Indian looking place 
of worship. From its being the first Wesleyan chapel erected in 
this part of the world, it excited considerable interest among the in- 
habitants. It is built principally of cedar and mahogany, and cost 
about £900 Jamaica currency, £700 of which was raised in Hon- 
duras. Many of the respectable inhabitants contributed handsomely, 
and the members of the society, some of whom were poor slaves, 
gave to the utmost of their ability. J. Armstrong, Esq., the kind, 
consistent, and liberal supporter of the mission, gave great assistance 
in this effort, as did Captain John Weller of London, for whose ad- 
vice and contributions, Mr. W. felt himself much indebted, in carry- 
ing out his plans. After labouring, with great zeal, usefulness, and 
acceptance, for above three years, Mr. W. left Belize for the island of 
Jamaica, in April, 1832, when he was succeeded by Mr. Edney from 
Jamaica. The departure of Mr. W. was much regretted by the 
people and inhabitants generally, who had profited by his ministry. 
At this time the members amounted to fifty-three. 



HONDURAS. 



317 



Mr. Edney began his mission under very favourable circumstances, 
and continued to prosecute it with growing prosperity. In a letter 
dated January, 1833, he wrote — "With unfeigned pleasure I inform 
you of the continued prosperity with which we are favoured. The 
Lord is still very gracious unto us. We realize his presence in our 
assemblies. The ordinances are becoming more profitable, and many 
are turning from their sins unto God. The members of society, in 
general, are endeavouring to ' walk even as he walked,' and. they 
have ' a good report of them that are without.' In the first quarter, 
twenty-two have been admitted on trial ; and, during the last nine 
months, the society has increased twofold. Our late congregations 
have been so overflowing that the new commodious chapel is already 
become too strait, so that we have been necessitated to erect a gal- 
lery sufficiently large to seat an hundred persons. It is now nearly 
completed. The whole expense of its erection will be about £120 
currency, which amount the kind friends at Belize will enable us to 
meet, without making any application to the Committee for help ; and 
it will afford you pleasure to know, that every pew in the gallery, as 
well as in the body of the chapel, is engaged, and several of them by 
the most respectable families in the settlement." 

Mr. E., anxious to extend his mission to the settlers along the 
coast, was favoured with the loan of a boat, which enabled him to 
visit Mullin's River, which lies about twenty miles south of Belize, 
where he found the people anxious to listen to the Gospel. On re- 
presenting this design, the Committee granted Mr. E. a boat, to 
enable him to carry it out. He also earnestly besought the Commit- 
tee to send another missionary, in order that the country parts might 
be visited, where the people were left entirely without religious 
means. He observed — " The settlement of Honduras presents a large 
field, which is already white unto the harvest ; but what is one 
missionary in such a sphere of usefulness. I am willing to employ 
all my powers in this vineyard, and to die in this work ; but after all I 
can do, comparatively little is done. With only one missionary in 
this important station, we shall never be able to visit the slave popu- 
lation. The Belize congregations are composed mostly of white and 
free persons. The slaves (with the exception of a few house servants) 
are all employed at the mahogany works, at a considerable distance 
from town ; so that they are in a morally wretched condition, with- 
out any knowledge of God or of salvation. As they are not in town 
above three weeks in the whole year, they are entirely destitute of 
the means of grace. I believe there is no slave-owner that would 
prevent our visiting his works and preaching to his people, in any 
part of Honduras. Surely did the friends of slaves at home know 
the awful state in which they are living, and that to the present mo- 
ment nothing has been done for them, they would, without delay, 
put the means in your (the Committee's) power of sending a second 
missionary. The expense of a single man here, as he would reside 



318 



HONDURAS. 



with the mission family, would not be very considerable. I am not 
rich ; but I will give £10 sterling, towards sending out an additional 
missionary. Could you send us a second, one would always be at 
liberty to attend to the various establishments and settlements out of 
town ; and thus means of instruction would be afforded to several 
thousands, w T ho are now in the regions of death." 

While Mr. E. was thus pleading for a fellow-labourer, he was la- 
bouring with self-denying zeal to enlighten the Charibs at Stern 
Creek ; and although he was compelled to avail himself of the aid of 
an interpreter, his success was such that, by the middle of 1 834, the 
natives voluntarily erected a chapel in which to meet, in order to hear 
the Gospel, and a day-school, with about sixty adults and children, 
was in operation. The opening of this, the first place of Christian 
worship for the Charib nation, was thus noticed by Mr. Edney — 
" March 11th, 1843. His Excellency Colonel Cockbourne having 
kindly lent the government schooner, in company with Commissary 
Lindsay, and some other respectable friends, we sailed for Stern 
Creek, for the purpose of opening the place which the Charibs had 
built for Divine worship, where we arrived about four o'clock, p.m., 
when nearly all the inhabitants of the town appeared at the sea-side, 
to welcome us on shore." On the following lay he observed — 
" With the Charibs this was a great day of general rejoicing, and 
completely devoted to the opening of the house of God, which they 
had so willingly put up, without any expense to the Committee. Male 
and female, old and young, were all cleanly dressed, and well-be- 
haved. Early in the morning, the British colours were hoisted, and 
drums beaten through the whole town, to warn the people to prepare 
for Divine service. At half ten o'clock, a.m., the shell was blown 
as a signal for assembling. In a short time after, the place was so 
crowded, that I had some difficulty in forcing my way to the pulpit. 
There were many also at the windows, who could not press within 
the doors. I preached from Haggai, ii. 19 — 4 This day will I bless 
you.' After the service, we took down the names of the children 
who are to be taught in the school. In the same manner was the 
place crowded at the evening service. The subject was Luke xix. 
9, 10. Deep attention was paid ; joy was visible on the countenance 
of every Charib ; and, at the conclusion, some of them resorted to 
the house in which our Belize friends stayed, and begged that they 
might be taught to pray." 

Next day, school operations were commenced, and Mr. Edney re- 
turning to Belize, Mrs. Edney was left behind, in order to carry on 
the instruction of those who came as scholars. Mr. E. continued to 
visit this station and the one at Mullin's River, with much diligence, 
and frequently at great personal risk, from the winds and currents. 
He found on inquiry, that within half a mile of the chapel, there werfe 
about eight hundred souls needing instruction. The difficulty of sup- 
plying the Charibs, without another missionary, led him to express 



HONDURAS. 



319 



his fear that his attempts must cease, as his own health, and the cause 
of God at Belize, were likely to suffer. 

This opening appeared to be too visibly providential, and import- 
ant to be neglected ; therefore the Committee resolved to send another 
missionary, with the special view of supplying the Charibs at Stern 
Creek with the ordinances of the Gospel. At this period, Mr. E., in 
addition to Belize, had a station at Free Town, where the people gave 
deep attention to the Word of God, and where a small class was 
formed — one at Mullin's River, besides the one at Charib Town. 
The members throughout the circuit amounted to 114, fifteen only of 
whom were slaves. 

In 1835, Messrs. Greenwood and Jefferies were appointed to Hon- 
duras. As the different stations could now be better supplied, there 
was a gradual improvement of the mission, and an increase in the 
number of members. Mr. Jefferies made honourable mention of the 
kindness of Colonel Macdonald, who did everything in his power to 
forward the interests of the mission. As the hire of a boat to go to 
Charib Town cost about £4 currency each trip, the Colonel saved the 
society a considerable sum, by placing the government schooner at 
the service of the missionaries, whenever she was at liberty. A new 
station was taken up at Boom, on Belize River. In July, 1838, Mr. 
Jefferies gave the following account of the state of the mission : — 
" During the last dry season, (i. e. from February to June) our cha- 
pel at Belize has been much better attended than during any previous 
year since my appointment to this station. We speak of that parti- 
cular season when, through domestic migration, our congregations 
have ever been seriously afflicted. But, thank God, we see now a 
change for the better. We require more room to accommodate those 
who come to hear the Word of life, and hope soon to possess it by the 
erection of a suitable chapel, provided the Committee allow the sum 
formerly solicited for the accomplishment of this object. Our Boom 
station on the Belize River presents a still more encouraging scene for 
missionary labour. These are a people who were a short time since 
enveloped in the most lamentable state of darkness, and had not the 
least sense of morality or religion ; but now, God be thanked, they 
are a people seriously inquiring the way to heaven ; and what has 
brought such things to pass in this, heathen land, but the blessing of 
God attending the labours of your missionaries ? We have at this 
place a rising society, chiefly females, and we cannot but lament that 
they have no resident missionary to afford, both to parents and chil- 
dren, that instruction so much inquired after, and so much needed. 
The case of this spiritually destitute people, we have already laid be- 
fore the Commiteee, by recommending the immediate appointment 
of an additional missionary to watch over their souls." By the close 
of the year, a class of fourteen members was formed at this station; 
and several appeared to be deeply convinced of their state as sinners 
in the sight of God. The stations at Mullin's River gave but little 



320 



HONDURAS. 



encouragement at this time ; and, among the Charibs, only one con- 
vert gave evidence of decided piety. He was the son of the native 
commandant, named Santiago Benney. He was employed as inter- 
preter ; and, during the absence of the missionaries, he conducted 
the schools. He seemed ardently desirous of the salvation of his 
countrymen, and diligently cultivated his mind, and the graces which 
adorn the christian character. Towards the end of 1838, Mr. JefFeries 
stated that this school was in a prosperous state, having between forty 
and fifty Charib children in daily attendance ; while the native 
teacher discharged his duty faithfully. 

In 1848, Messrs. Webster and Collier reported that, amidst poverty 
and sickness, God had been with them, and they were happy to be 
able to report, that after deducting for deaths, removals, and back- 
sliders, they had, throughout the circuit, a net increase of ninety 
members, and ten remaining on trial. 

At Charib Town their work had not made the progress which they 
could desire. The Gospel, however, was exerting an influence on 
the habits and practice of the people. Their " devil feasts" had been 
discontinued. Their annual feasts used to be times of dissipation 
and licentiousness ; but they were happy to say, that, during the two 
preceding years, no feast of this kind had been held. The Sabbath 
also is now regarded. The chapel was well-filled with attentive 
hearers ; and about fourteen of the Charibs were meeting in class. 
The day-school was improving ; and, on the whole, there was ground 
for encouragement. At Ruatan, there were nearly one hundred mem- 
bers in the society, who were visited as often as possible ; but no 
minister of any denomination had as yet been stationed on the island — 
the inhabitants amounted to about fourteen hundred. At Mullin's 
River, they had obtained permission to hold Divine service in a Ca- 
tholic chapel. A large number of the people were willing to join in 
Protestant worship. A suitable plot of land had been presented for 
mission premises. The bush had since been cleared away, a 
school-room was in course of erection, and a suitable teacher had 
been engaged to keep the school, and hold services both in Eng- 
lish and Spanish. At the Boom, the people continued to " walk 
worthy of their high vocation." Humility and benevolence to the 
ministers were distinguishing features in their Christian character and 
practice. The number of chapels at Belize, Charib Town, and 
Ruatan stations, were four ; missionaries, two ; day-school teachers, 
five ; Sabbath-school teachers, eight ; local preachers, two ; full and 
accredited church members, four hundred ; on trial for membership, 
ten ; Sabbath schools, three ; Sabbath scholars, of both sexes, two 
hundred and fifty ; attendants on public worship, one thousand two 
hundred and sixty ; which shews that there had been a pleasing de- 
gree of advancement from the time when the mission was commenced 
by Mr. Wilkinson in 1825. 



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